Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I agree very much with Senator O'Toole's comments on the importance of the farming community being in social partnership. It concerns not just the particular matters that might be written into the programme but also the ongoing dialogue on problems arising in farming.

I disagree with the Senator's statement about productivity and production. I believe the agricultural statistics show that that has been well maintained. He is correct in saying that the REPS is an excellent scheme and is one of the keys to the future of farming.

We are fortunate in having an excellent Minister for Agriculture and Food and an excellent negotiating team who are, literally, veterans of European negotiations. I was with them in Berlin where they emerged with a fantastic result. Irish Ministers for Agriculture and Food have a high standing with the farming community and with Government, unlike certain other European countries where Governments have little regard for farming or have ideas that are rather destructive.