John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I support the calls for a debate on agriculture, and I would like to commend the Minister on the great work she is doing. I would especially like to seek a debate on bio-fuels. Last week we had a debate on energy and there was a strong demand for excise duty to be removed from home-grown fuel. We have a case for such measures, particularly in light of the quantitative restriction law in the European Union. This country has already had a test case heard for Campus Oil, where we were allowed our own national refinery. I see no difficulty with all excise duties being removed from home-grown fuels. It would offer a wonderful opportunity to farmers interested in alternative crops.

I also call for a debate on Sudan. In recent years there has been ethnic cleansing on the basis of religious belief among the population in the south of the country. Further similar efforts are under way in Darfur in the west of Sudan. This is a catastrophe that could reach genocidal proportions because of the colour of people's skin. This country has a fundamentalist regime and it is of great concern that questions have arisen over the United States placing restrictions on necessary information.