Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

We need to deal with this crisis as it emerges and to target resources. The €2 million fund is entirely inadequate and I ask the Minister to reconsider it.

I was interested in the Minister's observation on the banks and to learn of his meeting with them this evening. Farmers are crying out for working capital but they have not got it. They need it now for fodder relief and producers of store cattle, winter finishers and winter fatners need it to buy cattle. They are not getting any relief from the banks. I would like to know what exactly they said to the Minister during his meeting with them today.

I want to conclude on the Common Agricultural Policy, to which the Minister referred. A paper was leaked from the Commission a few weeks ago, which suggested co-financing of the single farm payment, which in any climate would be a disaster for this country, but in the current financial climate it would be abominable. We need to preserve the common aspect of the agricultural policy across the 27 member states. The arrangements in place whereby the Germans can come to assistance of their farmers to the tune of €1,500 spells the beginning of the end of the Common Agricultural Policy. That is something that happened under the Minister's watch, albeit under the aegis of state aid from Germany. We need to be much more vigilant and aggressive about an industry that can be a significant engine for recovery and job creation.

We need an advocate with ambition at the Cabinet table, not an apologist for the industry. The Minister has two weeks to show his mettle at the Cabinet table to ensure that he delivers for agriculture. We will be watching closely.

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