Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his points on the farming community and the challenges it faces, in particular in regard to pricing. The Government is determined that the recovery is felt in every part of the country, and that of course includes rural communities. There is evidence of that beginning to happen but, of course, there is more to be done, as the Deputy correctly said.

The IFA briefed Deputies this week about a range of issues it wants to be addressed in the budget. The Minister, Deputy Creed, is actively addressing those issues. On the cycle of tax payment that is due by farmers, I am sure farmers will be considered very sympathetically by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, and the Minister, Deputy Creed, in the upcoming budget. That is the place where the matter will be dealt with and a decision will be taken on the particular approach that is needed to support our farmers and rural communities.

The general economic recovery, which is ongoing, takes time to be felt in every sector. The farming community very often has a cyclical movement, whereby prices can be very high and then low. As Deputy Collins said, this is a very difficult period for farmers, in particular those in dairy industry. I will make sure that his comments are brought to the attention of the Ministers for Finance and Agriculture, Food and the Marine. As I said, I have no doubt this will be considered in the context of the budget.

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