Dáil debates
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Food Harvest 2020 Report: Statements
Just as the Central Bank forgot about its role in managing Ireland's money supply when the EU took over monetary policy, the Department has forgotten about strategic planning for the Irish agrifood sector when the EU took over agriculture policy. When will the Minister realise that the agrifood sector needs a leader who will face facts, who will lead a co-ordinated strategy for survival, as well as expansion? Even while negotiations are taking place on the reform the Common Agricultural Policy, Ireland needs a leader who will work with all those in the business to prepare multiannual plans for stocking land, shelves and shopping baskets, which are vital to create jobs and generate income; and to eliminate the volatility in the marketplace and the price and income projections for those who have €5.4 billion of debts to honour. We need a leader who must come clean about grant aid and account for every euro of taxpayers' money, who will reorganise a team to the maximum efficiency and who will innovate.
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