Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I met with the Teagasc board recently and that issue was raised. I will look favourably on it in the future. Teagasc is doing an exceptionally good job and agricultural education is vital. The demand for more knowledge and new skills to develop farming businesses was evident at Grange yesterday. The food industry faces a significant challenge and we must keep in mind the projections under Harvest 2020. There are great employment possibilities but central to all this is the education of farmers and this is Teagasc's role. I agree with Deputy Ferris's sentiments. I have given a commitment to the board of Teagasc that we will not stand in the way of that education in order to help the people who are participating in the industry which is growing apace.

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