Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I believe so. The Minister of State visited Clonakilty, one of the food capitals of west Cork. One of my people heard the Minister of State speak. He is welcome in west Cork any time.

Senator Kieran Phelan referred to farming. There has been extensive lobbying from the Irish Farmers Association regarding the difficulties caused by the economic downturn, particularly for younger farmers. I hope the Government will look again at the early retirement scheme and installation aid, which were axed in the budget of 15 October 2008.

I will relate a case which will illustrate this problem more profoundly than words or statistical analysis ever can. A woman had been widowed and, while her husband's was in probate, she applied for the early retirement and her son applied for installation aid. Both schemes were axed on 15 October last. That family, who were already suffering a bereavement, faced the financial burden of losing those two schemes. The human effect of those measures goes beyond statistical analysis.

Farming, fishing and food production, as well as construction, are areas where we can begin to re-boot the economy. I have often spoken about the need to replace the labyrinth of prefabs with proper school buildings which would provide the required educational infrastructure as well as much needed employment. The Government should take a lead in looking at food production, farming and fishing in this context. They are important components of the economy of west Cork, for example.

Fishing is an important source of economic activity in coastal areas. The Minister of State knows this subject better than I do because he has special responsibility for food. We produce high quality fish in Ireland. Bord Iascaigh Mhara tries hard to market Irish fish and much of our fish is exported. However, regulations regarding quotas, catches and penalties are hampering people's efforts to make a living from fishing. Salmon drift netting is banned, for example. All these issues militate against younger people coming into these areas of activity, which are very important in rural economies and to food production.

The Kinsale Good Food Circle organises a number of events which showcase local products. Local restaurateurs combine their talents and give their town and its produce a separate identity and character. All the menus boast local produce, whether potatoes grown and harvested in the area, fish caught in the area and Bantry Bay mussels, all of which are uniquely branded. This is in no small way responsible for the tourism. We seek more tourists and a busier industry and this is a very significant impetus for local tourism. It is an annual event which has attracted the famous chef, Keith Floyd, Derek Davis and others. This is a form of decentralisation without mentioning the D-word. We almost bring the mountain to Mohammed. We bring people to the area and put some of the finest products available in the locality on show and display.

Mr. Joe Walsh was the Minister with responsibility for food in the late 1980s and early 1990s and went on to become a very successful Minister for Agriculture. When he worked in the Department with responsibility for food he set up very important bodies such as Bord Bia but he also went to the taste of west Cork festival. He was able to promote industries and provide funding, training programmes and structures which supported the production of food.

For example, Clonakilty black pudding is as famous abroad as it is in Ireland. It is wonderful to visit a city such as London, to enter a supermarket and see a block of Dubliner Irish cheese which is produced in Ballineen, only a number of miles from my home place. It is also wonderful to see Irish yoghurts on display. All such initiatives are well marketed and well promoted but there must be a very strong focus on the continuation of such initiatives, especially given the economic downturn. Their importance to the local economy can never be overstated. Real potential at local level is used and there is potential for added value. People associate product with a location and its people and this contributes to a very successful tourist product that, in my case, is uniquely west Cork and south Kerry.

I refer also to the fuchsia brands initiative in west Cork, a mark of high quality and excellence. It branded certain products and met general requirements and standards.

I refer to building brand awareness. There are supports such as the west Cork community partnership. However, support from Government was critical to opening up markets, developing the product, open up the export market, improving quality standards, assisting in producing newer products and spreading that message. A range of supports exist in this regard.

Throughout the year I have had glorious opportunities to visit the country markets. They are one of the prized possessions of rural Ireland. I was in Skibbereen some months ago and in Clonakilty last week in the context of local elections. I find myself going to such places and getting an t-ocras mór when I leave. It is wonderful to see the display of artisan products, including the selection of cakes and fish. Such markets operate very well. Generally, a close community of people is involved and their motivation is not profit or money. Of course, profit is a part of it but those involved say it is not their prime motivation. They like doing their job. It is a form of social networking and contributes to the local economy. Unfortunately, there has been an issue in Clonakilty in respect of the permanent location of the country market, of which the Minister of State is aware I am sure. The markets in Bandon, Clonakilty and Skibbereen are wonderful and the produce is mostly organic.