Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I also support the calls for a debate on the economy. Listening to all sections of the House, it is clear that there is a deep interest in what direction the Government wants to take and what direction we, as Oireachtas Members, want to take to face the challenges ahead.

I reassure Senator Ross that the roll-out of broadband is one of my high priorities. I agree with him that we are hearing much talk about it but seeing little in the way of tangible efforts so that it reaches the necessary areas. It is an area on which we should have further debate. It is will help the economy, if we prioritise and give clear leadership and direction on where the priorities for investment should be as we go forward.

I would also support Senator O'Donovan. He has made numerous calls here in support of the fishing industry, which is another sector under serious pressure. I regret to inform the House today of another sector facing serious decline, that is, the poultry industry. In west Waterford in my constituency the well recognised brand of Cappaquin Chickens is under serious pressure to survive. Mention was made of the regulations coming from Europe. Given the labelling regulations, the company is not playing on a level playing pitch. It is trying to compete with importers who are not complying with the same regulations and it is putting the company at a serious disadvantage in a competitive market. The company also faces significant overhead costs. The price of feedstuffs for the poultry sector has increased by over 50% in the past year.

Cappaquin Chickens has a wide remit in supporting the rural economy. We have had debates here on how we should support and sustain rural areas. This is an indigenous enterprise operating in rural west County Waterford. It is reaching out to farms that the Government agencies would never reach. These are the real industries that are operating in rural areas and they need to be supported. I call on the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, who I believe has a deep interest in the poultry sector given the constituency from which he comes, to recognise it is an area that needs assistance. For example, I am aware that there are seven full-time Department inspectors working in Cappaquin Chickens at a considerable cost to the company when I, and many in the industry, would consider that possibly half as many would suffice to keep the industry regulated. I call for an urgent debate on this matter. It is one of the indigenous industries we will lose unless we pay attention to it. All Members from all sides of the House should take an interest in this area.