Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Bradford, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, moved an amendment to the Order of Business calling on the Minister for Agriculture and Food to come to the House to explain the deal done in Brussels. The House will debate the WTO negotiations next week, which essentially deals with the same issue. However, the Senator is fully entitled to move an amendment. He represents a town that will be devastated by what has happened and I acknowledge the sincerity of his contribution.

Senator O'Toole stated two factories in the Amazon basin could wipe out our sugar industry. He also said the 1973 sugar deal was wrong and laid the groundwork for the recent deal. Farmers need to get into other industries such as biofuels and so on. The Senator also dwelled on the Irish Ferries issue and sought a debate later, if possible. He referred to trust and confidence in the partnership model and in employers versus employees. The Irish Ferries issue strikes at the heart of what kind of people we are. Outsourcing work and replacing 500 workers with another 500 is extraordinary.

As Senator Ryan mentioned, some of the comments, particularly on a television programme on Monday night, from people who should know better were horrific. Senator O'Toole said there has been no response to the Ferns Report and that the church is throwing blame on sections of the population.

Senator Ryan referred to the Irish Ferries dispute and asked why Ireland and three other countries voted against a directive that would have solved the matter. We are told by members of the Opposition in both Houses that the directive would have had this effect, but I do not know. Nonetheless we should debate the matter here as soon as possible. Senator Ryan also spoke about risk taking, not by management but by workers, in any industry that goes to the wall. Senator Ormonde wants a wider debate and that is fair enough.

Senator Coonan seconded Senator Bradford's proposal and, referring to the beet growers, called Greencore "Greedcore", which I thought was smart. Those two issues coming together have brought great despair on many sections of the population. Senator Callanan would like the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, to attend the House for the debate and commends her for the package she negotiated.

Senator Finucane also referred to the Irish Ferries dispute and called for the expansion of the labour inspectorate, which for some time he has been told will happen. Senator Hanafin referred to the WTO. We hope to have a debate on it next week. The Senator said trade should be fair and free and that farmers should get the money under the beet compensation agreement rather than the company.

Senator Hanafin also referred to the Ferns Report and said the church is not a State instrument and we do not have the right to call for changes in it. We have the right to debate the church but it appears that no heed is being paid.