Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree that Europe wide we need to look at the margins for primary producers in the prices offered by the supermarkets in order that they have reasonable margins on their produce. This has to happen at European level, as if we were to try to do it here on our own, the major multinationals would simply source produce elsewhere.

I agree that we need to tackle the issue of red tape. When the GLAS scheme is introduced, it will be seen to be as straightforward as such a scheme can be. I am taking on board the concerns expressed about the scheme by hill farmers, as well as by many others. It is a big and relatively complicated scheme, but once we launch it, it will be seen to be more straightforward than many think.