Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I strongly support the views expressed by the previous speaker. The Minister and Deputy Naughten have identified a very important issue. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle will be pleased to know that my grandfather, born in 1865, supplied milk to the establishment now called Connacht Gold. Depopulation in rural Ireland was the issue at the time and there was a need to counteract the impact of social deprivation and constriction. The views of Sir Horace Plunkett are still true to this day. I ask if these views might be implemented by way of more co-operation and a re-introduction of the co-operative system to ensure that the basic family farm producer is not ostracised and pushed out of the system. Provision should be made for two concepts, the viability of that unit and the need to ensure that rural parts of this country retain an economic value and are not regarded solely from the point of view of tourism. Given the Minister recognises the importance of the situation, I ask if he will use his good offices with his European colleagues to ensure that this concept is promoted to the greatest extent possible because it will lead ultimately to greater employment.

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