Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I can only say that I will support the World Food Programme.

I might add that we established a hunger taskforce, which was timely given that we established it before the issue of global food prices arose. That hunger taskforce has the input of 15 national and international experts. It was established by the Government to identify what Ireland can do to assist international efforts to reduce hunger. It has met on three occasions and I hope it will report to me before July. It will take into account the points the Deputy made. I do not want to pre-empt its recommendations but it will examine the questions of food price increases and global hunger.

I would like there to be a green revolution in Africa similar to the one that took place in Asia and that we would support agriculture and ensure there is an increase in food production.

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