We should take action now in order to let Europe know that we cannot accept the proposals on the table. I am delighted that Members of the House of Commons are present because they can take back our views with them. If the proposals in relation to Irish agriculture, the GATT proposals, the 30 per cent cut and what the Americans are seeking are even half implemented the fabric of rural Ireland will be ruined. We should have a full week's debate in this House on this issue so that we can tell our European partners that we cannot accept the type of proposals being put forward by the Commission. The submission which is being signed by people throughout the country at present, and which will be given to Commissioner MacSharry before the GATT talks take place, will let Europe know that we cannot accept these proposals which will have a devastating effect not alone on our farming community but the country as a whole.
Situation in Agriculture: Statements (Resumed).
I want to refer to a few sentences in the Minister's speech which impressed me enormously. He said that we must face the fact that some of the decisions which may be required might be difficult and he referred to the revolutionary changes which are taking place. Further on in his speech he said that a fundamental restructuring of the dairy industry is required and, amazingly, later on said: "I have consistently said that we must move away from reliance on commodity support and rely more on the market". He continued: "At Community level there will undoubtedly be further moves to reduce market support but we will resist these". I have never seen such inconsistency and confusion of thinking as there is between those two sentences. Indeed my colleagues in the farming community in County Monaghan share my concern about the total confusion in this House in our thinking in regard to the world trade negotiations. There is confusion right across Europe about these negotiations.
The picture for Ireland is blurred and confused. There is no cohesion in our thinking and we are not unified in our approach. The Minister made a great mistake in not putting forward the views of the rural community on this matter at the meetings in Brussels. He has been less than truthful with them in the sense that much of the information we get from Europe comes from the newspapers, leaks about this, that and the other. There is a feeling abroad that we will find out what is contained in the full package only after the signing of the world trade agreement. That is having a terrifying effect on people.
The people in the Cavan-Monaghan area are in an extremely vulnerable position. An average supplier of milk to Lough Egish Co-op supplies 12,500 gallons and 80 per cent of the suppliers to Monaghan Co-op supply under 30,000 gallons. This is an indication of the enormity of the problems in that area. I am not a farmer but the people who are in the know tell me that a viable supplier in the dairy sector is one who supplies around 30,000 gallons. Therefore, one can imagine the impact any cuts will have on the people in my constituency.
When this agreement is signed — and I imagine that the bargaining position taken up by Europe will be somewhat whittled away — it will have enormous repercussions for the people in my constituency, which is basically a rural one. There is no grand plan: certain cuts will be implemented and there will be a sort of EC dole for our farmers. I do not have the time now to go into the effects this will have on the mentality of the people in rural Ireland, particularly those in my area, and on their children but I can say that it will have a devastating effect and there will be depopulation over a period of years which will lead to a further loss of population and a need for fewer services. I hope that later on in the day I will have an opportunity to talk to the Minister about the severely handicapped areas. I asked you, a Cheann Comhairle, this morning to allow me to do this.