Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I am delighted to hear it. So too was Mr. McArdle of Irish Farmers' Markets. The Minister of State will know, therefore, that WWOOF is a worldwide network which started in the UK in 1971 and has still become an international movement that helps people share more sustainable ways of living. People will work on farms, free gratis; the payment is not monetary, but of course there are many other forms of compensation. Hosts provide food and accommodation, they get the benefit of assistance on the farm and share their knowledge and experience of organic and sustainable lifestyles with what are known as "wwoofers".

For the last ten years the Republic of Ireland has been represented by WWOOF Independents and in Northern Ireland by WWOOF UK, but I am glad to note that from 2009 WWOOF Ireland represents all of Ireland, and it is appropriate it should get the acknowledgement it deserves for the good example it sets. I want to note and compliment the work of various organisations such as Bord Bia and Teagasc and in particular the organic farming action plan for these years presented by the Minister of State. I also want to note in particular objective 2 of that, which talks about increasing the knowledge base in organic food and farming. Certainly, the 153 registered hosts with WWOOF in Ireland could have a valuable contribution to make in this area of training.

While I am on the subject of training, I come from a part of County Galway with which the Leas-Chathaoirleach will be very familiar. I went to school in Mountbellew, where we are fortunate to have an agricultural college that is very well regarded. Because of cuts in funding, however, we will only have three full-time colleges, in Cavan, Kilkenny and the Botanic Gardens and there will be ten or 12 part-funded colleges, including Mountbellew.

I am aware of the economic difficulties and circumstances that cause these types of cuts to be made, but in commending the proposal to provide training, retraining and upskilling for people to become successful organic farmers in existing agricultural colleges, I wonder whether we are going along the right track when cuts are being made in agricultural colleges such as Mountbellew, which I believe to be the only one in the west. However, in that regard I am sure the Minister of State has a plan to ensure the necessary training is available so there is no delay, bac or constaic as regards training people in the skills and knowledge necessary for organic farming. It is, nonetheless, a point that deserves to be made in passing.

Rath Dé ar an obair, although it is not all going to be simple. There are issues of price differential and the operation of supermarkets. My distinguished colleague, Senator Feargal Quinn, may not agree with everything I have had to say on this subject.

The more we talk about the cultural, public health and economic importance of organic food, the better for ourselves. it is good that there are markets for organic food but we must do our best to supply those markets and to do so soon. The present opportunities will not last forever. We need to take advantage of them. Caithfimid an deis a thapú agus leas a bhaint as na féidireachtaí atá ann, maidir le feirmeoireacht orgánach.