Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I too wish to be associated with the call for a debate today on agriculture. Members are tied up at present with matters pertaining to education and are concerned about our youth. While education is a vital foundation for life, one cannot overlook the fact that the farmers of Ireland traditionally were perceived as the backbone of the economy. Although that might not be the case today as much as heretofore, sadly a highly important industry has been treated rather shabbily in the recent budget. It is worthy of a debate and other Members will wish to speak on it.

On another matter, there have been many calls to patriotism in these straitened times. Only yesterday, Members on all sides outlined measures they believed would improve our flagging economy. Obviously, practical patriotism is required all round at present. In this regard, the repatriation of our tax exiles would be timely.