Is the recession over for farmers? Five responses

Liam Downey
Co Laois
Last year was a better year than this year when you look at prices. The price of corn went down from €210 to €150 this year, which was a big change. But it was an easier year to farm this year. The weather was a great help. I'm in suckling and tillage and the Minister is going to have to look after the suckler farmers because if he doesn't the whole beef industry is in trouble.
Patricia Dowling
Co Wexford
There is hope. There are more lorries on the road and there seems to be a bit more business in the shops. I'm nursing but from a farming background. I've been coming here for a number of years and this is the first time that I've felt there's hope and optimism for the future. The President [Michael D Higgins] was optimistic in his speech and people liked that.
Tommy Kearney
Co Galway
To tell you the truth, I don't care. I'm retired three years from lorry driving and I do a bit of farming. Our family is all grown up and they have good jobs. But things are still bad for farmers. I couldn't make a living from the type of land I had so I had to go driving.

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Tony Kearney, Galway.