Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief because I am conscious of time. We have had a really good debate. One might call it one of the great frauds or whatever but we have the clean, green Ireland image yet we are the second lowest in Europe for organic farming. That is really being hammered home today. I thank the various guests who have highlighted that but it is a real challenge to everyone involved in agriculture. I have one question. It is for Ms Maher and it is on the subject of organics in horticulture. We did not have time to cover it as much as I would have liked. I am a professional horticulturist and have studied horticulture. I was involved in organic trials in Kinsealy in the 1970s and 1980s, mostly the 1980s. Ms Maher highlighted the need for internships, partnerships, learning and knowledge transfer. I note by the way that though it was said that the Department does not fund the OGI it does supply funding for training. The witnesses may correct me if I am wrong to say that. In just a few sentences, will Ms Maher outline how she would like us to develop the training, internships and knowledge transfer training specifically in relation to organic horticulture?