Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their welcome comments and statements on Fairtrade. I refer to the White Paper on Irish Aid which states that we will "increase our financial support for initiatives which promote fair and ethical trade." That sums up many of the issues I raised and that were raised by Senators today. I reaffirm the commitment to support the expansion of Fairtrade throughout Ireland and to support poor farmers' access to Fairtrade certified markets, especially in Ireland.

Irish Aid is one of the largest donors to Fairtrade in the world. We will motivate other donors to continue to support producers in the poorest countries of the world. Building on the success of Irish Aid's support to the Fairtrade Network, we will continue to support development education, Fairtrade Fortnight, which is on at present, and Fairtrade towns.

Senator Cummins referred to the increase in Fairtrade sales. He referred in particular to business people from Nepal. I will make contact with the people whom he mentioned when they visit Ireland in the middle of April. I am pleased to do that. Senator Butler spoke about how the Oireachtas bars and restaurants now stock Fairtrade products. He is proud of the fact that Dublin is a Fairtrade capital.

Senator Quinn made some interesting comments on his experience of dealing with Fairtrade products as a businessman. He also referred to the Doha talks where Europe tried to keep out products from the developing world. He outlined that farmers need to make even a small profit in order to invest in the future. That is true of all farmers. Senator Norris spoke about slave labour and gender equality. I fully support his comments on those issues. Senator Mullen said we were talking about a good news story where sales of Fairtrade products had grown by 75%. He mentioned that NUI Maynooth was the first Fairtrade university.

Comments from Senator de Búrca on the Fairtrade movement were also very positive. She spoke about the need for a fair price to be paid to producers and welcomed trade agreements. Senator Mary White outlined her personal experience of growing products involved in the production of chocolate. She also referred to the very important role of young people. A number of schemes are in place such as the global schools awards and Fairtrade projects for schools. In some cases transition year students can travel to developing countries.

Senator Hannigan referred to the great support of Irish people for Fairtrade products and the gap between rich and poor. He also referred to the ethical questions that have to be asked in regard to these products. Senator Ormonde spoke about the role of local authorities and media coverage. She is correct. We should promote this area more. The work of schools is important. I support what she said.

Senator McFadden referred to the importance of towns promoting Fairtrade goods. Other Senators also mentioned this. Senator Bradford spoke about his experience of visiting developing countries. He referred to Zimbabwe in particular and said the situation there was not getting enough media attention. He has raised the issue here and I hope it will get more attention. He also praised Trócaire for its various Lenten campaigns on trade and aid. The current campaign, which is also a very good one, relates to climate change. He referred to the sugar industry and the fact that we also need to consider GM foods and not to dismiss the proposals in that regard.

I congratulate Senator Leyden on his contribution. He referred to the fact that Roscommon County Council has proposed Roscommon as a Fairtrade county. I congratulate Councillor Orla Leyden who proposed the motion and all her colleagues who unanimously agreed it. He referred to visits to developing countries by Oireachtas Members, which is something I have promoted. I wrote to the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs about the matter.

Senator O'Toole referred to the Treaty of Rome and the need to open trade. I am pleased that he referred to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions because it is one of the important bodies that has promoted the issue of fair trade. He was correct in saying that education is one way of helping people to improve their lives. It is a basic right that should be available to people in developing countries.

We support the Irish Fairtrade Network. We have approved grants of more than €8.5 million. We will continue to work with the Irish Fairtrade Network to support producers in developing countries. I reaffirm the Government's commitment, which is in the programme for Government, to ensure that the sourcing of Fairtrade goods, where possible, is part of the purchasing policy of all Departments.

I thank all the Senators who contributed and I hope we will have another opportunity to discuss issues that help the lives of people in the developing world.