Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy can keep quiet. I am glad there is a united approach in the House, apart from the smaller groupings, as that is very important. We should not be complacent because if we had more debate, we could better educate people. There are many relevant points in the White Paper.

I had the privilege of travelling through Munster and meeting many Deputies and councillors in the last European election campaign. I got a handful of votes in that so I got some recognition. Rural areas of Munster - from Nenagh to Castletownbere and from Kenmare to the border of Waterford and Wexford - are completely dependent on agriculture. Industry in many rural towns in these areas is based on agriculture. That fact is often forgotten. Some 4 million people out of a total population of 90 million in Germany work in agriculture, particularly in the area of farming.

The economic scene in Ireland is driven by the dairy industry, which is in difficulty at present. We have the support of the German Chancellor at meetings of the Council of Ministers and the Heads of Government in respect of this matter. However, we do not have that of Commissioner Fischer Boel who is pursing a different agenda. Emergency aid is required in order that rural farming and the rural dairy industry might be supported. European agriculture cannot survive without such support. We cannot compete with countries in the south Atlantic, such as Brazil, or those in the Pacific, such as New Zealand. There is no point in stating that matters are different.

This will become an issue for those who live in rural areas during the forthcoming campaign. I am a good friend of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I want to speak fairly and honestly to him. Many farmers are not able to make ends meet because they are being paid only 20 cent or less a litre in respect of the milk they produce. New Zealand currently produces 17 million tonnes of milk, while Ireland produces 5 million. As a result, there is a real issue of concern for those involved in agriculture in Ireland and throughout Europe.

People who live in rural areas have always been one of the mainstays of this country. In addition, rural industry is extremely important. I ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is an able negotiator, who has enjoyed great success in the portfolios he has held and of whom we are very proud, to use his influence in respect of this matter. If the referendum is carried, I hope he and I will be able to celebrate his success in Cork on 3 October. I wish him well.

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