Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the presence of the new Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Andrew Doyle, and congratulate him on his appointment.I had the honour of serving with him on the last Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, of which he was the Chairman during the last Dáil and Seanad terms. He did an excellent job and I have no doubt that bringing his knowledge and professionalism to his new role, he will perform excellently as Minister of State also. I wish him well in Agriculture House with his colleagues and the new senior Minister there.

The issue I raise today relates to the sheep sector, with which the Minister of State will be very familiar coming from County Wicklow which has a large sheep population. There is a large sheep population in the Republic and, in fact, there are more sheep than people living in it. We are highly dependent on the sheep sector as part of the Food Wise 2025 strategy, agrifood exports and live exports. It is an important part of the farm fabric, particularly in the west where the land is more marginal and sheep farmers struggle to make ends meet. The margins in sheep farming tend to be low. I was heartened by the commitment in the programme for Government of approximately €25 million for a sheep premium scheme like the old headage scheme. I welcome that. The reason I table today's Commencement matter is to give the Minister of State an opportunity to outline what stage it is at. Obviously, it will take a budgetary commitment in budget 2017, which will be later this year, to make provision for that. How will the funding be ring-fenced? Will it be a premium flat rate per ewe? Without pre-empting any consultation, what is anticipated?

It is important to consult the sector. While there the main farming organisations, there are also organisations which are newly established, such as the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, which have made a number of specific recommendations around young farmers and the equalisation of payments. Is it envisaged that there will be consultation with organisations like that? There are the larger farm organisations, with which it is also important to consult. I call on the Minister of State to ensure that if a payment is made available, it does not discriminate against or in favour of lowland or upland. There should be some form of flat rate payment. As there are additional constraints on farming on marginal and hill land, will anything be brought into consideration in regard to that? Will there be anything for younger farmers to ensure they are not precluded from obtaining the payment for all of their flocks, given some restriction? They are issues that will be delved into as the year goes on. Nevertheless, I have tabled the matter at this early stage to provide the Minister with the opportunity to ensure that a wide-ranging consultation takes place.