Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join my party colleagues and Members on the Opposition benches in commending Deputy Ó Cuív on tabling this motion and ensuring there is a strong focus on agriculture during Private Members' business. It is particularly important given the difficulties faced by so many farmers. It is also important because of the misconception, often among Ministers, about the health and wealth of farm incomes. The perception built up in the earlier stages of the recession, when farming was holding its own and had one or two good years compared to the wider economy, which was declining rapidly. The perception is still in existence among many of those in government when the reality is that farm incomes and the farming sector have been struggling significantly in the past two years.

I do not believe the Government has realised that or reflected it in its policy.

I want to focus on three specific areas in my remarks. First of these is the crisis in the beef industry, which is the main focus of the motion put forward by Deputy Ó Cuív. However, I also want to touch on the GLAS scheme and difficulties in regard to farm assist for many farm families. On the crisis in the beef industry, the motion calls for a beef regulator to be established. Although none of us can be sure as to the impact this may have, I believe it would be a worthwhile step that could go some way to ensuring a stronger focus on what is going on in the factories and to ensuring farmers receive a fair price at the factory gate. The Dowling report which was published following round table discussions recommended this.

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