Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his reply. The statements the Minister has been making with regard to finding a political solution to the issue, particularly with regard to this year and the difficulties dairy farmers are experiencing, are quite correct. We on this side of the House have been making the same point at every opportunity.

I have been raising this issue in our various discussions at Question Time and at Private Members' time because I am quite concerned about a number of people, not just for the milk quota year 2011-12, but right up to the abolition of the quotas, who, because of trends or because of the fair wind blowing, have got themselves into a bind. This has been highlighted again in the Teagasc report. The Minister mentioned the European flexi-milk arrangement, but this is obviously not attainable in this milk quota year.

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