Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Carter for his presentation. I was interested in the emphasis on the non-GM aspect and the idea that it is the way forward for Ireland, as an island. Many of us have seen the possibility for Irish food to be sold as a premium product anywhere in the world. This requires that we set ourselves apart from everywhere else in order to project an image of an island which is green, clean and environmentally conscious. Organic does not suit everybody but is a huge aspect of this and having non-GM status would set us apart.

It was interesting to hear that only 9% of the whole country was in tillage. I would have expected it to be much more.