asked the Minister for Agriculture the action he proposes to take to amend the major defects in the structure of Irish agriculture as evidenced by the recent report on farm incomes.
Written Answers. - Agricultural Policy.
699.
Government policy for agriculture over the next three years is clearly set out in the National Economic and Social Plan —Building on Reality. The Government considers that for expansion in output and income in agriculture to take place, the first priority of policy must be to achieve stability in the national economic environment and, in particular, to reduce the level of inflation and interest rates. The latest figures available show the Government is succeeding in its aim to control inflation, the current level being less than half of what it was in 1980. I would point out to the Deputy that there has been a considerable reversal of the downward trend in farm output and income in recent years. Following three relatively poor years in farming between 1978 and 1981, the years 1982 and 1983 marked a recovery with real increases being recorded in both output and income. The outlook for the current year is one of continued growth and it is estimated that the volume of agricultural output will be some 12 per cent higher this year than it was three years ago.