Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House, and I thank Senators Bradford, McFadden and Carty for their fine speeches. Someone just asked me since when were there cows in Cork city. There are no cows in Cork city but there are cows in Cork South-Central and they do produce milk. It is important to place this issue in context. Agriculture is important to our country, and we should not classify it as purely a rural issue. CAP reform has implications for employment and for communities.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, to the House, and thank him for being here.