Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I got in by getting a scholarship in my county. I thought it was a great idea. Counties promoted it and people went for scholarships. I was lucky to get one. I thought that was a fantastic idea because it put a focus back on it in every county.

We spent €50 million on importing tomatoes in 2022, €23 million on onions, €26 million on cabbage and €12 million on carrots. Thirty per cent of the fruit and vegetables we imported in 2022 could have been grown here. We are even importing potatoes. It is simple. One of the crops that one can grow very well here - and it is one of the healthiest crops now and is seen as a real healthy food and a very good source of antioxidants - is blueberries. The crop - the witnesses can correct me if I am wrong - is worth €1 million to this country. We import €20 million worth of blueberries. Go into the supermarket tomorrow morning and one will see labels from Peru, Brazil and Chile - all these places. It drives me daft when I see these labels all over products. It is horrible. Blueberries grow very well in acidic soil, as Mr. Bourke will be aware. At one stage, Bord na Móna carried out trials for growing them. I have argued, even with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, that it would be a great crop to get people growing here. People could be given good subsidies to grow it. I want the witnesses' opinion on that. Why are we importing so many blueberries? It is such a nice crop to grow, and an easy crop to grow in the country.