Francis O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

No, but the amounts involved have been reduced. I would like this scheme reinstated in its entirety as it is one of the best schemes available to farmers. It has greatly improved the countryside as farmers must spend the money on the land and their farms rather than put it into their back pockets and so on. As I have often stated, there is also a spin-off from this scheme in terms of the products farmers must purchase to do the work or provide employment. Like my colleagues, I welcome the €2 million for the fodder crisis and the €10 million for the counties affected by the flooding, although it might not be enough when the total amount of damage is assessed.

Farmers were having a very bad year before the flooding occurred, with low prices in the beef, pig and dairy sectors. The low prices are a major blow. It is very important that farming be supported, particularly given the amount of direct and indirect employment it generates, and that young people be in a position to continue the farming traditions we have inherited from our ancestors. Today's way of farming is a moderate way. There are plenty of young farmers in farming today. It is important that the industry be supported and grown in the years ahead. The Minister referred to the strategies for 2015 and 2020. The more support the Government can give to farming, the better the country will be.

Agriculture has been the backbone of this country for as long as I as well as my father and his father remember. When things were bad in this country agriculture was there to support it and assist it out of its difficulties. I hope the Government will do everything in its power for the farmers who are most in need of support, those who have been severely affected by the major floods in recent weeks. Hopefully, the flooding is over but one never knows when these events will finish.

I am delighted the Minister referred to the banks in his statement. They have a major role in the farming industry at present. The banks are as tight with farmers as they are with other sectors of the community. The cashflow is very limited, as is the availability of additional borrowing for farmers. A total of 80% of the products produced by farmers is exported; in the case of beef it is 90%. Beef, pigs and dairy products are very important for this country at present, as are the amount of jobs created by farming.

I congratulate the Minister of State on his statement and wish him well. I hope farming will remain at the top of the Government's agenda.