Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator Callanan's compliments to the Minister for Agriculture and Food. Since we are on the subject, perhaps we could ask the Minister to outline the consequences of the single payment, especially for smaller farmers. Members will be aware that since the single payment came into operation, there has been a serious erosion of the incomes of many small farmers. There are also indications that a large number of farmers will leave agriculture in the next few years. It is an opportune time for the Minister to come to the House so that we can discuss the consequences of the single payment for small farmers, in particular, whose incomes are being seriously eroded because of the new system.