Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the launch of the "Love this place, leave no trace" campaign this morning. I urge members of the public, when they are using public amenities, beaches or parks, to leave no trace and to respect the beauty that we have here. When we visit places, we expect to find them in good condition and we want to leave them that way for the next person.

I also ask that people bringing their dogs onto common lands, such as mountains, farmland and beaches, put their dogs on leads. When dogs are brought to a place where there is livestock, it is not the dog's fault if it runs after an animal or worries or kills a sheep or a lamb; it is the owner's fault. I urge dog owners to be responsible.

I also commend the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and to wish him the best of luck in the final CAP negotiations. It is most important that we protect our largest indigenous industry. We must protect small farmers and small farming families who produce the most sustainable, environmentally-friendly and highest quality produce in Europe and the world. Payments under the new scheme must be directed to active farmers to encourage and keep young farmers and farming families in the industry.