Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator O'Donovan's call for a debate on the fishing industry. I raised the issue last week and I hope the Leader will facilitate such a debate in the next few weeks. It is an industry on its knees at the moment and we need to be seen to support it.

I also support Senator de Búrca's point on the World Trade Organisation talks, especially the proposal from Peter Mandelson to reduce the production of food through agriculture within the EU by 21%. This proposal is occurring at a time when a child dies every 30 seconds in the world from hunger. I do not agree with proposals like these and I get the feeling from the Minister and the Department that they are not in agreement with them either.

It also would be timely to have a debate on agriculture prior to the recess. I was not going to contribute on the issue of the economy. Listening to the debate, however, I believe we are trying to talk ourselves into a recession.