Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I reiterate the request I made yesterday for a full debate at the earliest possible opportunity on the future of the sugar industry. When I spoke yesterday, the House was not aware of the full extent of the Commission's proposals. We know now that what is proposed would have the effect not only of wiping out the Irish sugar industry, but would have a profoundly negative impact on the entire Irish tillage industry and put thousands of jobs at risk. I disagree with Senator O'Toole on the future of the industry. We should not throw in the towel. The industry will have a future if a strong and effective political fight is put up in Brussels.

I remind the House of the action which had to be taken 20 years ago in the face of a similar crisis in the Irish dairy industry. On that occasion, the Taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald, and his Minister for Agriculture toured every single EU capital to strongly press Ireland's case. We must take the same hands-on political approach on this occasion.