Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Conway-Walsh fails to recognise that the significant review of areas of natural constraint, ANCs, was welcomed. All of the farming groups I have read about have welcomed the ANC review.

On the issue of payment, we are ahead of the curve in Europe and leading with the single farm payment. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, recently announced the pre-payment of aid to farmers.

I hope Senator Conway-Walsh's clairvoyance regarding the weather is not accurate. We cannot plan for the weather from the forecast. We can, though, do what the Minister has done, which is to plan for all provisos. He is doing that. I am happy to have the Minister come to the House in due course. I do not share the Senator's dystopian view of the world of agriculture. It is important to recognise there has been much positivity in agriculture, notwithstanding the issues of climate that we have had to endure this year, whether bad or overly hot weather.

I cannot comment on the absence of people at meetings, but the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, is very much on the ground in Mayo, as the Senator is aware. Senator Mulherin is also. I cannot comment on others. I am sure Senator Conway-Walsh will keep them on their toes anyway.