Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The Minister is right in saying Deputies have raised this issue a number of times in the House. That it has been raised is a reflection of the fact that constituents are asking what is being done about the matter and whether progress cannot be made on it. They find it hard to comprehend unused quota down the road cannot be transferred. In the case of my constituency of Louth it may well be that there are dairy farms in the next county with unused quota. Farmers cannot comprehend the position that quota cannot be transferred, given that Ireland and the United Kingdom are within the same economic zone in the European Union.

I am looking at this issue from the point of view of the transitional arrangements between now and 2015. There is no question but that the economy could benefit from the significant exports represented by even a 5% or 10% increase in milk production in Ireland. I am sure the Minister for Finance would very much appreciate the increased revenue and also the improved balance of trade statistics. There is a demand on the world market for this product and we do need a transitional arrangement. There is no point in saying that today, in March 2012, we can have a production level of such and such, as in two years time the production level is expected to be increased.

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