Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am saying it was wonderful. Many of us at that time did not have a lot. The young fellows would pick the apples. Hundreds of groves had contracts to supply the apples from as far away as Dungarvan. There are still a few. It is a whole part of our heritage in Tiobraid Árann Theas, in Cluain Meala. I hope that all the Members will come on tours just as Deputy Danny Healy-Rae said that he sees people visiting the distillery in Kerry.

Perhaps the Minister was present at the launch of craft beers in Bray, Wicklow, Roundwood or Greystones. I recall an occasion some two weeks after the general election. It was on a Friday before we were travelling for talks in Athlone about the formation of a Government. The now Tánaiste, then Minister, came and launched Tipperary Whiskey for a good family, one of whom the Minister is trying to get elected for his party in Tipperary, and a Scottish brewer who was connected to the family came and showed his talents. The whiskey certainly tasted well. That is still there and being supported by enterprise and Leader grants. I understand that it is now moving to the renowned Dundrum House hotel. Many Members here may have been at weddings there. That is in a fledgling state. There was the then Minister, now Tánaiste, promoting that, and rightly so.

Are we now to pull the rug from under his feet such that no one can find this place because they cannot advertise it? This is loo-lah stuff. It is kindergarten stuff. It is legislation that is not being examined and certainly not rural proofed. It has not been industry proofed or audited as to the likely negative impact it will have on, first, the volunteering aspect of the people in Clonmel and south Tipperary, second, the entrepreneurial skill of those who would come on board, and third, C&C, which might have given us the money but will not be that interested now that the legislation will have changed and it cannot happen. Bulmers is renowned the world over. The orchards, the big tanks and the lovely films the company has made to advertise it are there to be seen. It has been part of Clonmel's heritage for many generations. It was home grown. It started small and grew to be a huge industry, which was then taken over by the conglomerates, unfortunately, but it is still there, as are the growers. They are depending on it because they give employment to people picking the apples, pruning the trees, fertilising, replanting and so on.

I am asking Members to think about what we are going to pass here tonight. Deputy Donnelly spoke about burning toast or sausages or rashers. Think about the jobs for the people. That is what is more important. The Government is in a confidence and supply arrangement and, if it gets its way, we will not be able to eat an apple or drink a bottle of Cidona or anything else. To have labels on top of all of that is folly. It is ill-advised, ill-thought-out and ill-judged. The idea that there cannot be signage because people would see it and be directed to it is doing the exact opposite of what these volunteers in the local group are trying to do to rejuvenate our towns which have become dilapidated.

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