Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Kitt mentioned the sugar beet industry and suggested that the €145 million provided should go to the workers. He is glad that Archbishop Brady has said the guidelines on child protection will issue before Christmas.

Senator Ulick Burke called for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to attend for a debate on the sugar beet industry. There is no point in having a debate without the Minister. He mentioned what happened in Tuam, Thurles, Carlow and now Mallow and asked why the European directive was voted down. Ireland and three other countries opposed it. I hope to have a proper line on that issue tomorrow.

Senator Mooney called for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to come to the House to clarify the nitrates directive. I agree with him that Fianna Fáil had a thorough debate on it yesterday, to which many of us contributed. We know the directive is supportive of the environment. The Minister for Agriculture and Food is putting forward ameliorative measures which will help farmers.

Senator Bannon is very busy if all the issues he mentioned arose in his clinics. I do not agree that the Minister for Agriculture and Food has lost the confidence of Irish farmers. She has not, but is very much in their confidence.