John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I support the call for a debate on the meat industry at the earliest opportunity. I am conscious of the fact that, before biotechnology, nanotechnology and our strong manufacturing base and tourism industry, this is and will continue to be an agricultural country. The potential loss of exports is serious and goes to the heart of the economy and our way of life. We should ensure greater traceability, given that exports to the value of €400 million are tied up in the pork industry, the importance of the matter to consumers and our dependence on agriculture. I do not understand why we must go to laboratories in the United Kingdom to have results certified. Why is it not being done in Ireland on a monthly basis? It would reassure European consumers that Ireland had the greenest land and was the best place from which to purchase agricultural products. Given the fact that the European Union has long claimed competence in food safety issues, it should have an input in compensating Irish farmers, consumers and retailers. It has a strong role to play in dealing with this emergency which goes to the marrow of the economy and our way of life.

Will the Leader write a letter to the Russian ambassador on the loss of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Alexy II? Seven years ago I visited Moscow and, when given the opportunity to visit the mausoleum of Lenin and Stalin, I said, "No, thank you." I wandered into an orthodox church to hear what was the nearest thing to a heavenly choir that I had ever heard. The spirit of man had prevailed, even through the communist era. Alexi II went through it all from the darkest days when churches were destroyed to the inevitable re-emergence of the church.

I agree with my colleague, Senator Norris, on how sad it is to see mention of the crib being refused by RTE because of its inclusion in an advertisement by Veritas. This reminds me of what obtains in certain American states in which one could go to prison for insisting on a crib being in a public place. This contrasts with the position where someone could get away with murder because a glove did not fit. Sometimes one must wonder whether everyone has gone bonkers and whether we should remind ourselves of the spirit of man and, more importantly, Christmas.