Peter Callanan (Fianna Fail)

I am pleased Deputy Walsh was reappointed as Minister for Agriculture and Food, as were most people. There were one or two exceptions but that is to be expected. I am particularly glad the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, has been assigned to this Department. He brings expertise and knowledge to the post and we appreciate his presence.

I welcome the success of the Taoiseach at the recent European Council in having direct income support payments for farmers guaranteed for a further seven years beyond 2006 to 2013. This has major positive implications for the mid-term review of the CAP which is currently being discussed by the Council of Agriculture Ministers. The Minister outlined here today his commitment to ensuring the continuing development and sustainability of agriculture for farmers both in this country and in Europe would be upheld. This will strengthen the Minister's hand in the negotiations. He has already indicated that he will not tolerate the wholesale changes proposed by Commissioner Fischler. We are all very appreciative of both the Taoiseach's and the Minister's staunch defence of Irish farmers' interests.