Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and congratulate him on his work to date, particularly on the success of his negotiations on CAP which took place during a difficult economic period.

The sheep grassland scheme which has been subsumed into Pillar 1 will mean a loss for many farmers in the west. Are there proposals to compensate them for that loss?

In 2009, farmers lost €1,000 in the disadvantaged areas scheme. Is there any possibility of regaining the funding for the severely disadvantaged counties along the west coast? I am focusing in particular on their proximity to the Wild Atlantic Way and its potential for job creation. Farmers could make a link between agriculture and tourism. This could be done through Leader. There is great potential to compensate these farmers for losses they may have suffered. I welcome the special provision for island communities which is critical for the sustainability of farming and the populations on our islands off the west coast.

Will the Minister expand on the proposals in this regard? He mentioned sustainability and the maintenance of stock levels on the islands, which is to be welcomed.

I congratulate the Minister once again on the good news he has outlined today. These developments are critical for Ireland's economic recovery and the continued success of the agrifood sector.