Michael Brennan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister and congratulate him on his tremendous rural development work since taking charge of his portfolio. He has the good will of rural people and it is in all our interests that he succeeds in what he is trying to do.

I compliment the work of the National Rural Development Forum. It is important that the finances are given to the Minster to implement the plans prioritised in the White Paper. Agriculture and rural development were mentioned in the report of the Minister. I am glad to see that €8.5 billion will be available over the next seven years to implement the plans therein. It is important that the maximum possible number of agricultural families continue on the land and that the early retirement and installation aid schemes are kept in place.