Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

The Opposition motion was moved by the Labour leader who in a previous incarnation as a Democratic Left representative called farmer taxation a joke. His then leadersneered that farmers were rolling in it. When it was suggested that Ireland might seek the agriculture portfolio in the Barroso-led Commission, the former Labour Party leader, Deputy Quinn, said that Ireland should look forwards not backward. Such is the high regard for farmers exhibited by the Labour Party. Fine Gael and Deputy Durkan and his colleagues have aligned themselves with the Labour Party. The same Fine Gael constantly predicts doom for the Irish farmer.

How Fine Gael can claim to be the friend of Irish farmers beggars belief. That claim is completely cynical, as is the Fine Gael-Labour Party motion. Rather than being a backward pursuit, the reality is that agriculture and the agrifood sector is one of the largest indigenous sectors in the economy, with annual sales exceeding €18 billion. The Government constantly and successfully promotes the development of the agrifood sector. We should continue to be aware of its importance to our economy as it accounts for approximately 8.6% of GDP, 8.5% of employment and 8.5% of exports.

I was disappointed to hear Deputy Howlin sneer when the Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, spoke about significant progress made in creating jobs for the people. I am disappointed by the attitude of the Labour Party towards the creation of employment.

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