Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The ESRI has raised concerns about the compatibility of the ambitious targets set in the Food Harvest 2020 agenda, which was initiated by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the previous Government in conjunction with farming bodies and representatives. As I said last night on Private Members' business, I am glad that the Government has continued the Food Harvest 2020 policy and set about working with all stakeholders to make sure its targets can be achieved by 2020. This approach was vindicated this week when an announcement was made by Kerry Group. I welcome the faith in this economy that is being shown by such a fantastic indigenous company, which is a global market leader. We have to recognise the importance of the agriculture sector to our economy.

I would like to refer briefly to CAP reform. There is an onus and a responsibility on the Ministers for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Environment, Community and Local Government to ensure the €1.6 billion envelope is retained. It should be retained and no doubt it will be. The Government has our full support in its efforts to ensure that is what happens. The mechanisms used for the disbursement of those funds can be adjudicated on with other parties, with a view to ensuring money goes to those who need it most. We must make sure we are not hampered by environmental issues that might prevent us from being able to draw down the majority of the funds that will be available. The practices that were sanctioned by previous Governments under schemes such as REPS and AEOS must be maintained. Given that there has been an underspend of €200 million in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, it is unfortunate that AEOS has been diminished. That money could have gone a long way towards copperfastening sustainable development in the agriculture sector and thereby reducing the threat that may arise in the course of the CAP negotiations. As we said last night, we will hold the Government to account while supporting its efforts to meet its goals. If we feel it is not performing as it should, it will be held to account for that.

Ireland has a reputation for green production, with farmers focusing on work that involves environmentally sound practices. There should be no need for them to be punished, considering the background work they have done. There is no logic in shipping beef and other food that is produced in South America in dubious environmental circumstances halfway across the world when it can be produced here with less of an environmental impact. It is critical for sustainable development to take an international perspective and recognise the core role of farmers as custodians of the unique countryside environment.

The 2002 spatial strategy centred on the need to focus future planning and development on nine gateway cities and large towns and nine medium-sized hub towns. Many of the larger gateway cities experienced population growth that was lower than the national average while strong growth took place within commuting distance of those gateways.

The national spatial strategy update and outlook reaffirmed the Government's commitment to implementing the strategy and set new priorities and objectives, taking on board experiences since 2002. We believe balanced regional development, maintaining as many people as practical on the land, and adequate housing provision, under which people get a house suited to their needs and resources, are essential in achieving sustainable development. Fostering sustainable communities that encompass a strong sense of civic pride and participation is part of the crucial social capital we bequeath to future generations and helps tie society together. Spatial planning helps to secure these viable, vibrant communities through the effective use of space, designing public areas as recreational facilities, putting in place good transport links and constructing mixed communities.

In this light, the Government's retail planning guidelines threaten to undermine the vibrancy of town centres across the country by hollowing out businesses and driving them out of town centres.

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