I also extend a welcome to the delegation and thank it for making us aware of this case. I was familiar with a similar case in my own area of north Tipperary, and I can understand and empathise with the family involved because it is a terrible situation to find oneself in. We do not have many young people who are anxious to take over farms at present, and, given that we have only 80 applicants here, every effort should be made to accommodate them and encourage young people to take over farms.
The two issues spoken about today are, first, families which find themselves unable to farm because of invalidity and, second, the situation regarding the Fischler proposals to cater for young farmers. I ask the IFA whether it is satisfied with the regulations being proposed by Fischler for young farmers, which are still under negotiation. How does the IFA think young farmers should be addressed? In France, for example, young farmers are entitled to a loan from the Government to set up in farming at an interest rate of 1% or less.
In the 2002 budget we had changes to capital gains tax, roll over relief and other measures which made it very difficult for young farmers to continue or to set up in agriculture. What other proposals does the IFA feel we should be pressing for on behalf of young farmers in order to make it easier for them to take up farming? The delegation might clarify another point for me. The individual in this particular case, Mr. John Quirke, is 53 years old now. Is he prevented from putting in an area aid form that will enable him to get the retirement pension when he reaches the age of 55? If so, that is the real kernel of the problem.
I again apologise on behalf of Deputy Hayes. The comment that Mr. John Quirke would have been an excellent farmer comes from a man, John Paul O'Dwyer, who himself is a top class farmer. He and the Mahers, whom I know, are examples of thorough farmers, so I have no doubt that, were it not for the intervention of ill health, John Quirke would have made an excellent farmer. Like the previous speakers, I wish to highlight this matter and support the delegation in its cause of ensuring that Mr. Quirke be treated in the same manner as other farmers.