Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

I support my colleagues seeking a debate on education. I ask the Leader to extend that debate to agriculture because while the agricultural sector was never more educated, it was never more under threat than at present.

It is important that we have a debate on agricultural issues, particularly sugar beet and the WTO talks, to encourage and support our Minister in her fight to keep the farming sector alive. A recent report indicated the number of full-time farmers will have reduced from the present level of 40,000 to 10,000 by 2025 which spells disaster for this country. I live near Thurles, in Tipperary, which is still coming to terms with the closure of the local sugar factory. It is vital that we get behind the Department and the Minister to support the fight to keep the sugar industry alive in this country.