Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is an historic opportunity, one that we in government are grasping and driving forward. That is why months of effort have gone into this. It is why we have consulted farm organisations across the country. Deputy Carthy, who is present, is one of the members of the agriculture committee who put significant work into the report and the 20 recommendations, 18 of which I have accepted or substantially accepted. That is why the Bill is robust and strong and provides the powers for further regulations as necessary to ensure this office works and delivers and has teeth.

We discussed the Macra na Feirme walk. The day that a farm organisation or union says everything is okay is the day we can all retire. By their nature, organisations will always push their case, and rightly so. I met Macra na Feirme representatives. I am listening and will continue to listen and seek to do more. I have been listening for the past year and a half. I travelled the whole country while putting the CAP together. I travelled to every county and met with Macra na Feirme and all farmers who wished to participate in the process to ensure the CAP that we have introduced backs farm families, and young farmers in particular. I referred to the top-up. Up to last December, it was just over €70 per hectare for a young farmer for five years. In recent months, that has increased to more than €170 per hectare. In the context of TAMS, there are significant supports for farmers with new on-farm investment, with a 60% grant. Under the outgoing CAP, that was available for 200 investment items, ranging from slatted sheds to machinery, such as slurry machinery, as well as milking parlours and so on. The Government has increased that from 200 investment items to 300. That is 100 more investment items in respect of which young farmers can get a 60% grant under TAMS. We are seeking to back farmers and ensure we give every opportunity to young farmers to get in and get up. We will continue to seek to do more and to listen to Macra and other farm organisations regarding how we can support them.

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