Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for his statement on this very fine initiative, Fairtrade. I had no real understanding of what Fairtrade was about. I had an idea that it was something to do with the Third World but I did not know anything beyond that. Now we are in the middle of Fairtrade fortnight and in Leinster House we have switched the bulk of tea and coffee supplies to Fairtrade products. That is an excellent example for us to be setting. This is the message we should be projecting, that every individual consumer has to do it in his or her own way and the best way to do it is to buy the products.

Having examined the issue further, I have found out that the idea behind Fairtrade is to give an agreed price to the farmers and producers in underdeveloped countries as well as a premium. This extra money is used for developments in education and health through community projects. Everyone must agree with that principle.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs is very committed to examining how best to assist those in poverty. The Irish Aid programme has become a major force in many developing countries. It knows because it is working in the field to help upgrade vulnerable farmers that may be pushed aside by large producers. The global aspect to this matter is evident in the fact that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, along with international unions, is taking up the initiative to ensure workers are not exploited in these countries.

People who choose to buy Fairtrade products, such as tea, coffee, coca, sugar and so on, will play a vital role in alleviating poverty and supporting producers in a manner that promotes dignity and self sufficiency. I was delighted to hear there are now 25 Fairtrade towns and cities in Ireland but I had not previously heard that, for example, the cities of Waterford and Dublin had been designated as such. The area of public awareness is where we are failing on this issue.

I spoke to a school's career guidance counsellor and asked whether this issue was discussed in civic education. She said it was not but that it should be. Are Fairtrade products in staff rooms? Are they available in every public organisation and every walk of life? My thinking has gone full circle and I now believe the approach to be taken must come from the bottom up. If this matter is not approached as a societal issue nothing will happen. We could discuss this subject until doomsday but nobody outside these walls would listen. I wonder who is listening to us at the moment, apart from those of us in this room? I do not like this because this is a serious matter and I feel everyone's opinion on it should be heard.

The Celtic tiger is roaring and we have so much money we do not know what to do with it but we should think of those in underdeveloped countries. I spent a month in South Africa and saw the difference Irish aid can make to people in need of education projects, health facilities and so on. Fairtrade gives us another opportunity to help as Ireland has always been good at helping and the Ireland of today helps people when necessary.

How should we promote this concept throughout Ireland and what criteria apply to making a town a Fairtrade town? To qualify as a Fairtrade town, the local council must pass a resolution in support of Fairtrade and agree to serve Fairtrade products. Has every council and local authority in Ireland promoted Fairtrade? I am sure they would welcome Fairtrade products but I am not sure if they currently promote them. I visited my local authority recently but did not drink Fairtrade coffee there. In addition, to qualify as a Fairtrade town, a range of Fairtrade products must be available in local shops. Why not have a sample of them, even in small shops? I have not seen these products in my local shop and the staff there did not know what I was talking about when I mentioned them. I am saying many things that the Minister of State might prefer I did not say. Fairtrade is beginning to make an impact in workplaces and some, but not all, community organisations.

In terms of media coverage, is anything being done to attract support for the campaign? A local steering committee should be set up in all large organisations to promote Fairtrade. Civic education in schools provides a golden opportunity for the promotion of Fairtrade and would help reach out to parents and the wider community.

I want this campaign to be highlighted and to raise awareness. Everyone here knows the purpose of Fairtrade and I am repeating what they have said today but it is important that those outside this House know about it. Until we interact with Irish citizens we will fail in communicating our message on the importance of the Fairtrade initiative and this fortnight. A knowledge of Fairtrade should be spread to all walks of life.