Professor Alex Evans:

Senator Lombard is correct that labour will be a big issue. We need not skirt around it. As the economy reaches full employment, it will be a big issue. One still has to go out and top the fields, bring the cows in and pick the crops. Maybe that is where being a member of the European Union will continue to help us out and that people will flock to Ireland for jobs again. I would be surprised if that does not happen. Two people have left our university farm and we are now seeking to replace them. I must say it is not easy. The squeeze is on and I can only see it getting worse. Maybe that is a good thing. People have more choices in their employment opportunities and agriculture is one of them.