Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister's positive speech. It is now over four months since the conclusion of the mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy. This time has afforded us an opportunity to reflect and deliberate on what is best for Irish farmers and, indeed, Irish consumers. It is obvious that not only will the reforms work to the financial advantage of most Irish farmers but consumers can expect to be supplied with produce of superior quality. In addition, the CAP reforms will have a beneficial environmental impact in terms of lower levels of air and water pollution.

The process has yet again shown that we have an adept and reassuring Minister for Agriculture and Food. He is one of the longest serving Ministers in Europe and one of the most experienced. We were fortunate to have a Minister of his calibre on this occasion. In the course of the review he behaved in a calm and collected fashion, refused to indulge in alarms and secured important concessions from the original proposals tabled by Commissioner Fischler. The farming organisations, as Senator Bradford pointed out, did not know which way to jump but the Minister had a decision to make. He made that decision and I believe Irish farmers, recognising the work the Minister did, are happy with his decision. The Minister also faced up to the concerns expressed by those who were most anxious about the prospect of reform. He and his Department have sought to explain the changes in a reasonable and reassuring manner.

At all times, the Minister has stressed that while change will be challenging, there will be benefits. The prognosis for Irish agriculture is positive but only if we learn to adapt to change. As in any other area of life, we must remain open to new opportunities as they arise. The Commissioner, Franz Fischler, played his part in briefing Irish farmers by meeting 1,000 of them at a function organised by the Irish Farmers Journal.