Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I join my colleagues in welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Aylward. Since his appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, he has shown a very clear and concise understanding of the issues that face farmers in this changing time. Together with the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, and the Minister, Deputy Walsh, he has provided excellent leadership in farming. Together they have assisted, led and been part of detailed negotiations in Europe at this difficult time. His endeavours will stand the Minister of State, Deputy Aylward, well in the forthcoming election, in which I wish him well. It is great to see someone of his calibre who will carry the banner not just for farmers but for all the different elements of society to the European Parliament. I have no doubt such people will be successful and assist us going forward.

There has been some debate in the House this evening on decoupling. I welcome the position the Government took at an early stage in achieving full decoupling for Ireland. There were different detractors both within Ireland and outside who appeared to suggest we should take some other route. I note that another candidate in the same election has been making considerable noise in recent days in regard to a land-based payment. This would be of no assistance to farmers who are working the system and working the land. It would reward landlords, which would not be in anyone's best interest. The approach taken maximises farmers' income, which is welcome.

A number of speakers referred to the movement away from bureaucracy. This has been called for by many farmers and farmer organisations. Removing some of the unnecessary bureaucracy has been to the fore in discussions with Government and the European Commission. Moving to a single payment approach provides for this. It will make it easier for farmers to engage in farming rather than engage in paperwork and bureaucracy, which is welcome.

Full decoupling will lead to moving away from a process of over-producing, to which Senator O'Toole alluded when he spoke about the butter mountains, beef mountains, wine lakes, straight bananas etc. We must move away from that process and try to assist farmers in developing their role as custodians of the land. We must allow them to produce in a sensible and careful manner. They must be allowed to produce a product which is required, is of a very high quality and saleable on the open market. Anyone who follows the whole food market in the EU recognises that premium prices are paid for high quality products. Unfortunately, Ireland has not been targeting that market. We have been trying to move large quantities of product. It was a matter of producing for the purpose of gaining subsidies and not looking at the quality of the final product. This is something that can be done in association with Bord Bia, which was to the fore in this area. There is now a better chance for producers, marketeers and the Government to put greater emphasis on marketing a high quality product for the top end of the European market.

We must focus on consumers. As a result of some elements of the Common Agricultural Policy, the market was more production driven than consumer focused. It was difficult at the time for those involved in the production side to get negotiations to a point where everyone was happy. Great credit is due to people not just in this country, but throughout Europe, who have been involved in bringing about these latest proposals. The focus is now on consumers and the quality of the product.

I was interested to hear Senator O'Toole say the restrictions imposed have been over zealous in some instances. He is probably correct to an extent. However, we can never lose sight of the importance of food safety. The Food Safety Authority has been to the fore in developing standards. I would not like to think that because one focuses on small business and small producers one in any way removes the obligation to provide a safe food product. This is something about which we need to be careful.

I am not sure these restrictions have led to the higher price of lamb in Ireland as opposed to on the Continent. Something with which Senator O'Toole might be more familiar is the cost of labour. I am not suggesting we should not have a minimum wage and we should not pay workers a fair price for the work they do. It is unfair, however, to compare France and Spain with Ireland in terms of the cost of food. Inherent in the cost of food, particularly at the point of purchase such as in a restaurant, is the cost of preparing food. The cost of preparing food and the cost of staff in Spain is much lower than in Ireland, therefore, we need to consider the issue in more detail.

There was some discussion earlier on the nitrates directive. The political point has been made in regard to when the guide to best practice was first initiated and who the signatories were. We should not play the blame game with one side throwing mud at the other. We must collectively resolve the issue. It is a real issue for farmers or those of us who come from a farming background. There has been a lot of hype and debate around the issue. It is something about which we are all concerned. Unfair remarks were made that the Minister, Deputy Cullen, is driving the issue and he does not have a regard or understanding for rural Ireland. Nothing could be further from the truth, particularly in regard to the recent actions the Minister took in regard to Dúchas, An Taisce and the planning guidelines. He has shown a phenomenal empathy with rural Ireland.