Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I thank Mr. Rushe and the team from the IFA. I know they have a lot of experience in horticulture, agriculture and retail. They come with great knowledge and experience, which is important. The shocking thing is that horticulture is in crisis. Let us be honest about it. To hear that we now have fewer than 100 growers of field vegetables is alarming in a country with a climate, soil and a whole set of circumstances that make it ideal for growing many vegetable crops. We have a crisis here. There is a tripartite coalition in government, including the Green Party. Its members speak and advocate for the organic sector, which has a place in the bigger issue but not everything has to be organic. This is about food, food security and safety, and sustainability in the bigger agrifood sector.

I will make a few comments and take our guests through five or six points. Perhaps we can then have a dialogue, one by one. First and foremost, we know the Government launched its new national strategy on horticulture at Bloom. What is our guests' initial response to it? What do they think about it? They can speak honestly and frankly. I would interested in hearing some key words on what our guests think about the strategy and the direction and timelines involved. Mr. McCormack might kick off.