Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader arrange an urgent debate, no later than next week, on the collapsing state of the dairy industry? My party leader, Senator Fitzgerald, spoke about job losses and the need for job creation and protection. It has been the tradition of rural Ireland that thousands of people have been employed, directly or indirectly, in the dairy industry. As we speak, people purchasing milk this morning pay €1.20, €1.30 or €1.40 per litre. However, the primary producer, the farmer, receives only 21 or 22 cent per litre. Unfortunately, it is not possible for the dairy industry and farmers in particular to continue to produce milk at that price. We are already beginning to see people leaving the industry and that is bad not only for economic activity but for rural Ireland and our economy. Will the Leader arrange an urgent debate on this issue? We must examine what the Minister can do domestically and at EU level to prop up this vital component of rural Ireland because the industry is reaching a stage where it is unsustainable.