Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the representatives of Trócaire and PELUM for appearing before the committee and giving us a very useful insight into the work that is going on and the importance of the input we can have. They have contributed to a realisation that we are a significantly wealthy country in terms of what we contribute and highlighted the importance of the international policy development objectives set out in A Better World.

What share of the population of Uganda is involved in agriculture? Is it subsistence agriculture? What is the average size of a holding? I have no doubt that they are small. Agroecology is something with which members are very familiar. It involves going back to the old system of working with nature as well ensuring that certain challenges are overcome, such as pests or diseases that are resistant to various products. On the help that can be given to achieve the acro-ecological practices set out and the actions to reduce various things, where can Ireland take a lead? What role has Ireland played to date in the wider world structure in that regard? What can it do to ensure that adequate food mechanisation policy is pursued in those areas? What level of monetary, physical and technical resource is being given globally to assist in that regard?

Obviously, all present are aware of the natural disasters that have taken place. What can be done to try to prevent further disasters such as drought or flooding? How can our mechanical, technical and other expertise be utilised in that regard? Where can we fit into any programme that the organisations may be designing to achieve very worthy and important objectives?