Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)

Frankly, it is embarrassing to listen to the Minister of State. I will confine my remarks to my brief of agriculture, food and fisheries. The Deputies opposite should prepare for a shock because I am willing to acknowledge that welcome improvements to the agricultural sector have been outlined in the Finance Bill 2012. I recognise the attempt that has been made to give attention to agriculture, which is one of Ireland's most valuable resources. For example, the rate of stock relief for farmers operating through a farming partnership is to be enhanced to 50% for all registered partnerships and to 100% for certain young trained farmers forming such partnerships. That is good and progressive. The Government wants to increase the number of jobs in the agriculture, fisheries and food sectors by helping them to diversify. That links in with the action plan for jobs that the Government announced recently. Although such efforts are good, I do not believe they go far enough.

Ireland is sitting on a goldmine of agricultural and marine wealth. These sectors can be the vehicle for achieving national economic recovery. Under Food Harvest 2020, which is a very good project, the Government aims to increase milk production by 50% and add 20% to the value of the beef sector. These aims are admirable, but agriculture is about more than that. Sinn Féin is keen to point out that farms in the BMW region are much less capital intensive then those in the rest of the country. There is a wide variance throughout the State. Although the BMW region contains almost 53% of all farms in the State, those farms only have 36.7% of all farm machinery in the State. There is an imbalance between different areas. More has to be done to bring smaller farms in more disadvantaged areas to maximum production.

Equally, the Government needs to do more to support indigenous tourism businesses in more disadvantaged areas. The agriculture sector goes hand in hand with the natural beauty of the Irish countryside. We should not forget that what the BMW region does not produce in agricultural output, it makes up for in unblemished landscapes. Agriculture is very much linked with tourism. This has to be fostered and developed. The Government needs to do more to aid grassroots tourism. The Bill before the House needs to go further in giving farmers an opportunity to engage in diversification. If the encouragement of tourism activities is to flourish, basic services such as roads and broadband are essential for rural areas. Funding for the conservation and upgrading of rural heritage sites is required. Training for those who are or wish to be involved in tourism has to be provided.

If we are serious about protecting the beauty of our landscape and the future of people in the north west and the rest of the BMW area, we should not permit fracking for the gain of a few wealthy individuals. It would be unforgivable if the Government were to permit the destruction of a beautiful area of north Leitrim by turning it into an industrial wasteland.

Fracking should be taken off the agenda immediately.

I will stray a little from agriculture to discuss briefly rural development. I attended a briefing this morning provided by the good people of Ireland West Airport Knock who outlined the facts underlying the excellent service the airport provides and its economic and social contribution to the region. Ireland West Airport needs and deserves State support to enable it to continue to expand and improve. It was interesting to note the emphasis the airport places on the need for integrated infrastructural and tourism development throughout the region. Improving infrastructure and tourism is a win-win scenario for everyone concerned. We must invest in local economies if we are to improve the national economy. Achieving the latter objective is not possible in any other way.

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