The fundamental problem facing farming is uncertainty about the medium and long-term future. That is why, contrary to what Senator Quinn has said, the agreement at the European Council in Brussels is such a big advance in that it provides a degree of certainty until 2013 and leaves quite a bit of room available. It is an immense achievement and in some ways is a reward for the "Yes" vote on the Nice treaty because it is doubtful that this would have happened if the vote had gone the other way. It is a vindication of the Franco-Irish alliance, including the political alliance between Fianna Fáil and the Gaullist party.