Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not think we are close to starvation in the country any time soon. I respectfully say regarding the European Union that we always want to try to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers and enterprise. The European Common Agricultural Policy has been the linchpin of farming in this country in terms of underpinning incomes and payments. Let us never forget this in respect of the value of the European Union's agricultural policy. We have to maintain the focus and prioritisation of this and the Government does. The Department of agriculture is very strong at European level. We have agricultural attachés in countries all over the world.

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