Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When discussing this and making a case for the retention or, as Deputy Ó Cuív has done, for a complete change in it, it is important to remember that there is a historic element to this. Over the past number of years, people have borrowed substantial sums. They have put in many buildings and done a great deal of farm programming and they must be treated the same as everybody else. It is important that there be fairness across the sectors. These are the issues: first, the historic commitment and, second, fairness for the individual farmers and producers across the country.

We have gained substantially from the Common Agricultural Policy. As a country, we have reacted to it. We are unique by comparison to other countries in that we have also increased our production. The response of the farming community to the agricultural programme we have in place with aims and objectives for 2020 has been unique by comparison to other European countries.

I am happy that the Common Agricultural Policy needs to remain in place. I am happy that our farmers are responding to it. They will understand that the changes, when they come, will be to the benefit of the agricultural community.

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