Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom ar dtús fáilte a chur roimh ceapachán Phil Hogan mar Choimisinéir talmhaíochta san Eoraip. Agriculture continues to be a major part of life in Ireland and its economy, and especially with Food Harvest 2020 coming up, it is a great appointment.

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to the House to discuss two items? Food Harvest 2020 is coming up but there is a statistic that we have more farmers over the age of 85 years than under 25 years. We must look at an enhanced system of land transfer so that the younger and more productive farmers can take over farms sooner.

Senator Comiskey referred to the launch of the farm safety initiative by the Minister in Roscommon yesterday. It is a tragic fact that for each of the past five years, on average more than 20 people have died on our farms as a result of accidents while many more have been injured. The main causes are tractors, machinery and drowning. We have identified the problems but we need the solutions. I spoke to Louth IFA farmers today and they are working in conjunction with the young farmers in Macra na Feirme on a county-based initiative. I would like the Minister to come to the House to discuss and brief us on those two very important aspects of farming.