Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Irish farmers have made an argument that is convincing to any interested person. I have not heard an answer to this simple question: why, if foot and mouth disease is found in this country, does the whole country close down, whereas if it happens in another country, that country can still export to us? It does not make sense. I do not add to this a criticism of the Minister, Deputy Coughlan. As Senator O'Sullivan noted, she has made every attempt to move Europe's position on this issue. The Government should state clearly that this is wrong. If necessary, we should pass legislation to protect our farmers.

The issue of food labelling is related to that of food safety. I would like to conduct a survey of Oireachtas Members to find whether they know the difference between Irish smoked salmon and smoked Irish salmon. I suspect most would not. Most would simply read the word "Irish" and would not know that Irish smoked salmon is more than likely imported salmon which has been smoked in Ireland. Also, the distinction between wild and other salmon has not been properly made.

An area related to food safety in which Ireland is badly lacking is how we develop new products in a safe way. The Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, has just left the House. I intended to remind him that not long ago air-dried venison from Donegal was available in good food shops in Senator Keaveney's constituency. It was a beautiful product, pure black, well presented and very unusual, yet the company producing it has gone out of business. As far as I know, it came from the place famous for its connection with Tabasco sauce, and the venison was raised and air-dried on the McElhinny farm. This country does not produce air-dried bacon, venison or beef. We import Serrano ham and we pay big money for it. We could produce this ourselves.

In terms of the issue of drink which was touched on by Senator O'Sullivan, we should give some recognition and more support to local breweries. I was in the west recently and saw a very unusual and cloudy beer, which one does not see in Ireland. It is usually a continental commodity. It was named "Galway Hooker". I inquired about it. It is made in Roscommon and it is available in certain hostelries in Galway city and also in other parts of Connacht and down as far as Limerick. This is something that needs to be encouraged.

Many years ago the Government attempted to develop a new product, one-calf heifers, and failed. I mentioned mutton in the House previously. That is a product one can buy all over France. I am glad Senator O'Sullivan mentioned it. Mutton is available in some restaurants in Dublin. Roly's Bistro sells Kerry pies as one of its signature dishes, and it is a mutton pie.