Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are talking about a drop of income in the dairy sector from €68,000 to €48,000. That is not hugely above the average industrial wage. In this case we are discussing people who are on the job for 365 days a year. With regard to income in the other sectors increasing, the Minister will be aware that incomes in those sectors are very small. Is he concerned that this huge drop in income in dairying will put many farmers, particularly new entrants, in dairy farming under pressure, just as they have made these big investments? The amount of money paid in the package is very small compared to an average loss of €20,000 in income. What will be done here and in the EU to address this issue after the abolition of quotas? It is a serious issue. They are not all in the same situation. Some can ride out the decline better than others.

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