Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to reply to the debate.

I will deal first with the questions raised by Deputy Ferris. The Deputy referred to the sugar industry. It is a pity he was not present in Carlow when the protest took place or that we was not in the House last week when we debated the sugar industry. It is sad that he is commenting critically on the issue because if he had read the motion he would be aware that it refers to the development and enhancement of the food promotion programme. The fact that 25% of all sugar sold here is imported highlights the difficulties the industry faces. If the sugar beet industry here fails, many arable farms will no longer be viable. It is a pity Deputy Ferris did not recognise that fact. If we had changed the motion to read "from farm to spoon" as opposed to "from farm to fork", he might have understood it better.

Last night, the Minister addressed the debate with what can only be described as the swaggering arrogance we have come to expect from the Government.

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