John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I wish to raise a number of issues, the first of which is the need for a debate on the World Trade Organisation discussions which are currently taking place. The beef and beet sectors are within the ambit of those discussions.

I am particularly concerned about the issue of free trade versus fair trade. We have been told that free trade is to the benefit of Third World countries, but the reality can be very different. That issue should be debated in this House. Many of the companies that benefit from free trade are in First World ownership. They own vast tracts of land and the factors of production in the Third World.

In that context, of what real benefit is free trade to the Third World? We know of cases where workers are treated very badly by employers and are at a major disadvantage. We have heard of extreme cases where workers in fields are sprayed from the air with pesticides that affect their health and may affect that of future generations. These issues must be debated before we roll over and agree to any changes in world trade. We must ensure that all trade is fair and free.

With regard to compensation payments for the beet sector, I suggest that any payment to Greencore should not be for the benefit of the few, but of the many, namely, the workers of that company. Our first concern should be the farmers who have depended on the beet crop for many years, who number over 3,000. Our second concern should be the workers and any moneys for Greencore should be ring-fenced for compensation for the workers. Our last concern should be for the company that has enjoyed increased profitability and has built a different business for itself in the UK. The reality is that beet is a very minor part of Greencore's business. It is one of the largest sandwich makers in the world and the majority of its employees are now in the UK, not Ireland.

With regard to calling for changes in the church, I would like to see a situation in the future where this House calls for changes in areas that are within its remit. Members of this House are calling for changes in the church as if it was the State church. The reality is that it is not a State church and making such calls is often futile.

On the issue of the positive options directory of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, one may say what one wishes, but abortion is not a positive option. The last thing we should allow the Crisis Pregnancy Agency to deal with is abortion as a positive option. It may be an option, and one can twist, divide or subdivide it any way one likes, but it is not positive.