Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

The farmers whom we want to help the most are those most in need of such help. The category of farmers affected by the provisions of this amendment is in dire need. These farmers need help in order to stay on the land and to maintain the fabric of rural Ireland by keeping their families on the land. I want this Bill to be successful as it includes many good provisions. If the Minister for Agriculture and Food were to yield on this amendment, however, the Bill would be more attractive. Some 1,000 more farmers would be included and this would achieve the Minister's stated aim of making the Bill more attractive so that its provisions will be taken up by more farmers and farming families. The amendment affords the Minister the opportunity to achieve this. Why would the Minister go against her objective? The inclusion of 1,000 extra farmers would have a significant impact on those farmers' lives and businesses and on the rural community.