Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

To pick up on what the Minister said in response to the earlier question about trying to manage the redistribution and the alliances he had built with a number of other member states in a similar position to Ireland, what hearing is he getting from the Commission? Is it not the case that even in counties such as Roscommon which would not be considered one of the most productive in the country, a number of farmers will lose significantly as a result of redistribution? The movement of the big payments will be towards large land banks and commonage areas on foot of a complete redistribution if there was a flat rate across the country. I am glad the Minister acknowledged the modest incomes of farm families. While product prices have increased, input costs have increased significantly and many farm families are on very moderate incomes, even taking account of current product prices.

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