Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the motion. As previous speakers indicated, the importance of agriculture to this country and its economy cannot be overstated. In previous recessions and downturns we turned to agriculture in order to get ourselves out of the morass. With the provision of the right supports and the removal of unnecessary regulation, we can prosper again. If we take the steps I propose, farmers could employ more people and make rural areas - which in recent times have become quite lonely places in which to live - more vibrant.

The annual output of the agriculture industry is approximately €22 billion. This accounts for more than 6% of GDP. It is, therefore, an enormous industry and is worthy of more than mere lip service. Agriculture has been neglected by recent Governments and there is no point in stating otherwise. When the so-called Celtic tiger was on the prowl, we forgot the animals which inhabit rural Ireland. During the period to which I refer, industry became fashionable and it was no longer stylish to be a farmer. As a result, there was a flight of farm families from the land. Indeed, the dwindling number of farm families is a serious development. No only does the reduction in the number of such families affect agricultural outputs, etc., it also has an impact on entire rural communities. I refer here, for example, to the effect it has on rural schools and sports clubs and small villages and towns.

The farmers markets which sprang up in recent years and the country markets which have been in existence for over 40 years are vital and are being given support. With the disappearance of the so-called Celtic tiger, people are beginning to support local markets and so forth and to buy local produce. It is important that this type of development should be nurtured.

I am of the view that there is far too much regulation in many sectors of the economy. This is particularly the case when in the case of agriculture. The behaviour of the Competition Authority in the context of its recent smash-and-grab raid on the headquarters of the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, was outrageous. In the recent past there was literally no regulation in financial circles. It was, therefore, very damaging that, in the interests of over-regulation, 15 officers of the authority executed a search warrant in respect of the offices of the IFA.

See this speech in context