Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It will be as balanced as possible on the basis of the legalities within which I must work. I would prefer if we could come together on the basis of an agreement. That may be difficult. I want us to have agreement as soon as possible and do not want us to end up in court. That would be a complete waste of everyone's time and energy. I have taken independent advice on the matter and will reflect it on the basis of the parameters set down by me. I cannot go outside them, but I appreciate that everyone has a view on the issue and is entitled to put it forward, to have it listened to and to be consulted.

That is why the issue of biofuels and looking to the non-food use of land is most appropriate. That is appreciated on all sides of the House. There are opportunities in the context of the sugar reform but particularly in the context of a new energy policy which has been accepted at the spring Council meeting — especially an acceptance by the Commission that €45 per hectare is inadequate — we should be able to develop and work towards a more prosperous energy biofuel sector. We have the potential for that.

We are at a crossroads — CAP reform, WTO talks, competition and the availability and ability of the sector, be it farmers or agrifood producers to compete. It is my job to provide the policy framework so that this can happen. This will be done in consultation with all stakeholders. In the end it is the stakeholders who will move forward. We must give direction and hope, and must afford people the possibility to progress and develop, be it from the farm to the fork or otherwise. I hope that in the policy framework I am putting forward, we will give direction and will stress the consumer and market-orientated way in which CAP reform is now reflected. We must drive research and development. In the context of primary processing, manufacturing in the agrifood sector is crucially important to the Irish economy. Though we may be led by the Lisbon Agenda and the knowledge-based economy, all of which is very much part of the sector, we must appreciate the vitally important role of the primary processor within the agrifood sector.

I see opportunities. I see the current need to give direction and support. That support is not necessarily money. It is direction, access to information, working together and a greater support mechanism involving all the stakeholders. Against that challenge, I intend we will provide a vision for agriculture. That vision is the only way forward. We must look at sustainability, competitiveness, innovation, nutrition and especially the ability of an export-orientated country to export at a viable price.

There will be challenges in all sectors but we must face them and provide opportunities. I will do all I can to ensure we have the most dynamic indigenous sector in this country. We can all throw political punches at each other but for the public good and the development of rural Ireland we need to work with a vision for agriculture, food and forestry. I intend that we will develop the 160 actions of the vision document, that we will work together to assure people and ensure it works. It is clear that the State and the taxpayer are continuing to do their bit but it is also important that the private interests in the sector step up to the mark. I am convinced that through the establishment of the agrivision forum, which I propose in chapter 7 of this report, we will bring all the relevant interests together and focus on our common aim. It will be on that basis that we can achieve it.

I thank the Seanad for the opportunity to put forward a number of proposals. This is a fabulous sector, our most important indigenous one. It is not always appreciated for its role, for what it does in this country and abroad, and for the reputation that we could and should have as a nation to be the food island of the world. We are well equipped to get that reputation, but must work a little harder. I hope this provides food for thought and that we will work at the further development of this vital cog in the economic wheel of this country.