Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses. The briefing has been very informative for all of us in forming an opinion and the committee making a political contribution, which I presume is agreed by the remaining committee members. Senator O'Neill had to raise something on the Order of Business in the Seanad.

This exercise has been very useful. Dialogue as it evolves has given us a better insight into how the process works and the implications of it in the context of the Irish agriculture industry. If an EU proposal had come forward saying that member states had the right to restrict GM products coming into the pharmaceutical or medical industry, we would not be discussing it but various Departments would and jobs would be one issue. One must look at everything in its context. As things stand, Deputy Barry's point about whether we can feed the world without this unless there is an alternative must be considered.