Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

With regard to the wider issue raised by the Deputy, he can rest assured that I have said repeatedly that as core, traditional primary production in both the fishing and agriculture industries declines, we must examine alternatives. I gave a speech recently, for example, on the issue of marine leisure, which presents a major opportunity. I have referred time and again to the issue of using rural funds for on sea and on land alternatives. However, I cannot support fishing or agriculture as separate industries.

I have again and again on issues I cannot tease out during Question Time invited members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Sport Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to engage in detailed debates on them. Debates have taken place on modulation and so on and whether we should help farmers more outside the farm gate. Most farmers in the west could not survive without off-farm income, no matter how much investment is made in their farms.

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