Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not agree at all with the Deputy's portrayal of the situation. The Government massively supports the family farm structure and family farmers. Over the past generation, we have seen a growing number of part-time farms. Farms may not be able to compete with the employment opportunities in the wider economy now, but the fact those family farmers stay farming is a reflection of the considerable commitment they have to keeping farming enterprise as a part of their income and a reflection of the Government's commitment to supporting them. As I say, we have increased by 50% the funding to this CAP, with €200 being delivered per suckler cow. I have doubled support for the sheep sector to €20 per ewe from the €10 that was in place. I have accepted everyone into the agri-environmental scheme. The largest ever number of farmers are now taking part in that scheme. That is something we want to continue.

If we go back 30 or 40 years, a 30-acre farm would have meant a full-time income in Ireland. The state of the wider economy meant we were not as wealthy a country and farmers did a lot more of their produce at farm level. Indeed, farm produce that is exported is tied to world export prices, and that remains the case. Farming does not compete as well with the job opportunities that are available in the wider economy because we are now a very developed economy. We want to ensure every family farm that wants to remain a family farm does so. That is why we are investing massively and it is why farmers are continuing to take up the farm enterprise. That is something I, as Minister, will continue to support in every way possible.

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