Peter Callanan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, to the House. I will attempt to keep the same spirit that prevailed on the Order of Business. It was fascinating to say the least that we had an excellent morning of co-operation across the House. There was no need for the glass barriers. Senator Coonan may be stirring the pot in straying away from what he should have addressed. That is a matter for another day and another discussion.

The word "boasting" was used this morning but I know Senator O'Toole has addressed the issue that there should be an alternative to what is happening with land use. We cannot deal with this topic when debating the WTO talks. However, I congratulate the Minister and the Department officials on having 85% of single farm payments made on the first day they were legally entitled to be made. Those farmers who missed out on the first day have plenty of opportunities to have the issue corrected. As on many other occasions, farmers tend to neglect what they ought to do.