Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Charlie McConalogue, of the €15.5 million that is being given in advance payments for the sheep welfare scheme. In Tipperary, 374 farmers will receive a total of just under €500,000. It is a substantial amount and I know they are grateful for it. Would it be possible to have a debate with the Minister on lamb prices? They are much lower than they are in France and other European countries. It is a real challenge. People who are not too familiar with farming would think it is going quite well. Some sectors are, including dairy, tillage and one or two others. It is important that we keep our sheep farmers. They play a vital role in important areas of rural Ireland. I ask for a debate with the Minister about his views on the viability of that sector.