Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

I can vouch for the Minister's safety today. I thank her for briefing us on this issue which is of major concern particularly to Irish farmers, and for Irish agriculture. There were many words in the Minister's statement but she did not use two words that cause me considerable concern, namely, "sugar beet". This indicates the present crisis in agriculture.

Last year, the malt and barley contracts were taken away which practically eliminated the growing of those crops in my part of the country. This year it is the turn of the sugar industry, on which the State was founded. Towns such as Tuam and Thurles, with which I am familiar, were devastated by the closure of the sugar processing factories. Thurles has not recovered from this blow. Carlow followed quickly last year and this year Mallow is under threat. There is a crisis in agriculture and I am disappointed she did not deal with that issue.

Next year the pig and poultry sector will bite the dust under the unnecessary bureaucratic regulations imposed by the nitrates directive. The Minister may smile all she likes——