Vol. 559 No. 2
91 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on reports that farm organisations are considering withdrawing from social partnership negotiations due to spending cutbacks on agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25762/02]
Social partnership has made a significant contribution to the growth of our economic prosperity over the past 15 years. The series of partnership agreements has led to gains for all participants including the agriculture pillar in this process. Any possible decision of the farm organisations as regards their participation in the current social partnership negotiations would be a matter for those organisations. Should such a decision come to pass it would be most regrettable.
