Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív has afforded me a few extra minutes.

I refer to the challenges faced by the Minister and his Department in the negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy which will fashion the future of the industry. I emphasise the importance of appreciating the active farmer in the mix. If the active farmer is to be subjected to the price volatility to which I referred, he or she will need the safety net of a viable and worthwhile Common Agricultural Policy payment system.

There are serious difficulties with the age profile of those involved in the industry. The agricultural colleges are bursting at the seams because they do not have adequate accommodation available. The college in the constituency of the Minister of State, Deputy Shane McEntee, was closed and sold a number of years ago, which was a great mistake. If it was still in operation, it would provide invaluable accommodation. If the Minister plans to expand agricultural education provision - as he needs to do - he will have to consider the provision of resources for Teagasc as a means of financially supporting the agricultural colleges. If they are not in a position to employ staff, the number of students will be severely restricted. Given the age profile of those involved in the primary sector of the industry, it would be remiss of the Minister to allow that to happen.

I refer to capital allowances which I accept are within the remit of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan. However, this issue is important in the case of agriculture. Capital allowances for the expansion or development of farm holdings are spread over a seven year period. I firmly believe that if this period was to be reduced to three years, it would have a significant impact on employment at a time when the building industry which is suffering the most in the downturn could be given a significant boost in rural areas. A change in the capital allowances regime by the Department of Finance would affect the creation of employment on farms.

The ESB plans to implement a smart metering system, but it needs to be done quickly. Electricity charges on dairy farms have become an albatross around the necks of individual farmers. If the smart metering system will help farmers to keep a lid on these costs, it will have been a good day's work.

The requirements in respect of minimum stocking density have adversely affected farmers on the Cooley Peninsula. Those in receipt of relatively small and modest sums of money are coming to me. I have been in daily contact with the unit in Portlaoise which deals with the payment made to thousands of recipients. I ask the Minister to examine this matter from a commercial point of view because the issues involved do not merit the level of bureaucratic attention recipients are receiving.

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