Francis O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to speak on the motion. I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, and her team on the good work that is being done. I particularly congratulate them on the new action plan for agriculture for the years ahead.

Agriculture faces many challenges in the years ahead but working together, Governments and the farming sector can meet those challenges. As the Taoiseach commented recently, the agrifood sector has been and will remain the single most important contributor to the economic well-being of rural communities. Agriculture continues to represent the main options for rural economic activity. It continues to play a vital role in the Irish economy, with almost 10% of GDP coming from agriculture.

The Common Agricultural Policy has been reformed to take account of changing circumstances over the years. It is now better structured to meet the needs of the wider European Union. It now faces further challenges in the coming years, both internally and externally. A good outcome for Ireland at EU level was secured at the European Council last December where agreement was reached on the financing of the Union for the period 2007 to 2013. Ireland should receive over €10 billion in CAP payments and market supports over the next seven years.

Irish farmers deserve the maximum possible certainty on the level of direct payments in the years to come if they are to take full advantage of new opportunities and markets and to develop new products. Rural Ireland will also receive a special additional allocation of €500 million. The decision on the financial perspective still has to be finalised in consultation with the European Parliament but I understand our total rural development receipts will be in the order of €1.9 billion.

The December agreement includes a review clause and we can be sure that again there will be demands to adjust CAP expenditure but unanimity will be required for any decision taken under the review and I believe funding is secure for Irish farmers up to 2013. To ensure we are able to meet the challenges that face us in the future, the Government has put in place an ambitious plan for Irish farming and the agrifood sector.

There can be no doubt that agriculture and the agrifood sector are in a period of major change. Agriculture can and should encompass strong commercial farming as well as part-time farming, serving consumers and markets worldwide with pride and distinction. The success of our indigenous food industry must be built upon. That will help to strengthen Irish farming and secure jobs growth in the agrifood sector.

The Minister, Deputy Coughlan, is right to say that this plan sets out a positive vision for the future of the sector. It underlines the fact that delivering safe, high-quality, nutritious food produced in a sustainable manner to well informed customers in high-value markets is the right road for the future of the Irish food industry and therefore for our farmers.

A total of 166 actions are being taken to meet this vision. It is clear that the State and the taxpayer are doing their bit. I endorse the Minister's call for all private interests in the sector to step up to the plate, although she used the term "step up to the mark".

I congratulate the Minister. I welcome the new action plan and I support the motion. As Senator Quinn said, this action plan for agriculture will be a landmark in the future. I commend the motion and wish the Minister and her team well in the future.