Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

Regarding the early retirement scheme this year we are putting €40 million into providing for those who wish to retire. Some €4.5 million is being allocated to installation aid. That is real money, right here, right now. It is not just that, however. We are providing financial support with supplementary measures under the earlier REP schemes. We have had the organic farming scheme since 2007 along with the capital grant schemes. We also have the organic farming action plan, as well as national organic week, the national organic conference, organic awards and the demonstration farm programme.

Two weeks ago, I attended the Terre Madre conference in Italy where Bord Bia was represented. Some 80 delegates from Ireland attended to see what was going on there, as well as ascertaining markets for Irish produce.

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