Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for tabling this relevant and important motion. We all rightly acknowledge the pivotal role of agriculture in our economy - that is stating the obvious. It has played that role in recent times when many other sectors were under severe pressure and it underpinned many communities in rural areas. We all acknowledge that it is the largest indigenous industry in the country and the beef sector is a major component of this. Members on both sides of the House know that Food Harvest 2020 is a vital blueprint for the sector's future and I acknowledge the commitment of this Minister and Government to the policy, which was initiated by the last Government. I have heard the Minister give credit to previous office holders on this plan and I welcome this.

Growth in the sector is due in no small part to commitments in Food Harvest 2020 and there has been similar growth in the medical technology and computer technology sectors in recent years. Thankfully, many jobs have been created in these sectors, particularly in the food and drink sector, as the Minister noted. I hope the Minister will use his influence, as we conclude deliberations on the coming budget, and do all he can to reduce the tax burden in areas such as the universal social charge. The universal social charge was an emergency tax for a period of emergency. Despite all of the Government's promises before the last election it now acknowledges the universal social charge for what it is and I hope the Government takes advantage of the opportunities that exist, according to the economic indicators, to make this change. There are opportunities for many more jobs in the sectors I mentioned and a prudent reduction in the tax burden will help in this regard.

Potential progress in agriculture is under pressure because of the beef crisis. The Minister knows this and has sought to engage with the sector and with stakeholders but nothing has come of this to give those involved in the industry the confidence to believe the impasse has been avoided. The motion is clear and concise. We are disappointed because it appears that the Minister has taken a hands-off approach to the sector in the negotiations.

This concerns us. This is why we want to state quite clearly that we ask the Dáil to support our proposal on the €200 genomics payment to support the suckler cow sector.

The Minister will ask whether this is costed. Let us believe it costs more than €100 million. It would be a once off payment and, like the universal social charge, it would be an emergency solution for an emergency situation. This is how vital a component is required to allow the industry to flourish thereafter. The Minister must take on board such a request. He must acknowledge the input and effect it could have. If the Minister believes it would not have this effect,that it is pie in the sky and, as he has called it, auction politics, it is far from it.

We ask the Minister again, having previously done so at the request of Deputy Ó Cuív, to reconsider the prospect of putting in place a beef regulator, not necessarily to set price because we know this cannot be done and that one cannot interfere in the market in such a fashion, but a regulator could act in an independent fashion to assess the malpractice and underhand practices which allegedly occur in the business.

I ask the Minister to seriously consider the other components of the motion, including creating an ombudsman for the supermarkets. In light of the recent appointment of Commissioner-designate Hogan, I hope the Minister works with him, as soon as is possible and practicable, to explore the potential which exists in what is contained in section 39 of the Lisbon treaty. It is a blueprint by which the Minister may be able to regulate the market in such a way as to help improve the situation and the price and allow the sector play its part. This would be in addition to the ways and means by which the Minister and the Minister for Finance can help the industry to flourish and play its part in the continued recovery of the nation.

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