Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to speak on this motion and commend Deputy Ó Cuív and his Fianna Fáil colleagues on tabling it. Deputy Ó Cuív has a deep knowledge of farming in the west and although born and reared in Dublin, he moved to the country to gain an extensive understanding of rural development and all things rural. It is reprehensible that certain Deputies sought to castigate him for moving this motion and being political. I do not know if Government Members realise that they have been in Government for the past 19 months. They cannot continue to blame the legacy of what happened in every aspect of society. It is a sad legacy, unfortunately, but it is time to move on. The Government is preparing its second budget and it is time Government Members put out the shoulders that were so broad before the election and take responsibility for it. It ill behoves any Deputy to describe Deputy Ó Cuív as a clown. That is reprehensible language and should be withdrawn. It is unfair to make derogatory remarks about any Member of this House, let alone a man of Deputy Ó Cuív's capabilities.

I support the motion because 20,000 people took to the streets of Dublin yesterday to participate in a dignified march. Farm families, who brought with them a limited amount of equipment, took part. All the aspects of farming, from farm machinery operators to agricultural contractors and co-operatives, are vital to the recovery of this economy. I experienced two recessions in my short lifetime and each time the farming sector helped us to recover. We saw this in the National Ploughing Championships held in Deputy Wallace's county two weeks ago. I might have been critical of the traffic levels at it but they will get it right next time. There was a great display of equipment and trades on fine arable land, although the weather was not too kind. Many of the ordinary small set-ups were supported by rural development programmes and LEADER. It is the biggest outdoor show in Europe. That is a reason for pride. It is mainly associated with farming and all its spin-offs, whether co-operatives, sole traders or small start-up businesses. The meitheal spirit of farming survives. Farmers support each other and that is why they are the envy of every group that wants to protest. They are so well organised that they can turn out 20,000 people and feed them outside Merrion Square without leaving a paper on the ground. I commend the IFA, other farming organisations and the people who came from every part of the country. They were very dignified and they were gone by 3.30 p.m. There was no hanging about or rattling of drums.

These farmers sent a clear and stark message to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine that the Common Agricultural Policy cannot be dismantled because it is too important for our economy. This is a small island nation which has to export most of what it produces. We have clean and green food and our name is recognised around the world. We can expand on that. We have set ambitious targets for 2020 but we will not meet them unless CAP is left untouched. We must fight in Europe to retain all the aspects of CAP which make common sense and support farm families. I compliment the Minister on doing a good job thus far but we need to be ever vigilant. I have no problem with capping single farm payments to huge farmers, factory farms and those who are not actively farming. Give the lion's share of the money to the small family farms that will stimulate businesses and support jobs in local communities. These farmers are not interested in simply dealing with monopolies like Tesco. We should support the sheep industry, the suckler herd and the piggery sector. All small farmers, whether potato growers or grain growers, deserve our support. Unfortunately, we do not have beet growers. We had a difficult season this year but farmers rose to the occasion. They did not whinge. They went out to make the best of a bad lot in the harvest.

I defy anyone to attack Deputy Ó Cuív for tabling this motion because he understands more about rural small businesses than most Deputies in this House. He has a long and chequered career in that regard. Government Deputies should support the Minister in carefully studying the implications of cuts to CAP and in fighting off attacks from whatever country they come. We will give our support but Members opposite should not have the cheek to label anyone on this side of the House a clown.

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