Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I echo and support what Deputy Michael McGrath has said. The commitment to a review is welcome but it should have taken place last year and it is overdue. Unfortunately, this budget has now passed and the opportunity to bring about real action has been missed by the Government. There is an air of complacency over the suite of measures which is in place at the moment. I accept that the Minister of State understands the sector exceptionally well, but his tone suggests he believes the measures are sufficient. They are not sufficient and we need additional measures. It is crucial we explore the options and have a clear timeline for when the report will be completed, as well as a clear commitment to real engagement so that we expand the options available to farmers to deal with income volatility in time for the next budget.

There is a danger, as Deputy Cahill said, that 2018 will be a more difficult year, income-wise, than 2017. Had there been some movement in the budget the options to farmers could have been widened but it is never too late to do the right thing. I urge the Minister to expedite these measures.

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