Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I thank my colleague, Deputy Moynihan, for giving us the chance to discuss the issue. We are on the cusp of receiving the formal proposals from the Commission on the agricultural industry. Many Deputies outlined the economic importance of the industry. It is important that the Oireachtas has a chance to reflect on it and to discuss the leaked proposals that emerged in August. It strikes me as odd that whenever we debate agriculture it is always rural Deputies and those from rural constituencies who contribute yet when one considers the size of the sector and its impact on the economy it is clear that agriculture is not a rural issue, it is a national one.

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