Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber today. Senator Lombard and I put down this matter for the Commencement to outline Fine Gael's view on the agriculture industry, the agrifood sector and, in particular, young farmers. It has been Fine Gael's policy as long as it has been in government, for as long as I can remember anyway, that we have been very supportive of the farming sector and young farmers especially. I remember the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, negotiations in 2011 and 2012 when decisions were made to positively discriminate in favour of young farmers. We recognise, as a party, the contribution that the agrifood sector makes to rural areas and towns in areas like mine in Tipperary.

Very distressing comments were made by a Green Party MEP a week ago that have caused real fear within the agricultural community where I am from in Tipperary. The comments were ill-informed and inappropriate and they have not been clarified by the leader of the Green Party either. Will the Minister of State get the leader of the Green Party, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to clarify that the comments made by Mr. Ciarán Cuffe are not Green Party policy, as if they are we will have bigger problems? Will the Minister of State reassure farmers in my county in Tipperary that as long as Fine Gael is in government, we will support the agricultural sector, young farmers and the farming network? We as a party recognise the contribution farming makes to communities like mine in Tipperary and the knock-on positive effect it has for rural towns. Businesses are created on the back of a good agricultural industry and Fine Gael will support that for as long as we are in government.