Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

First, I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Killeen. The presence of his ministerial colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, whom I congratulate on much of the work he has done for the food industry, was also welcome.

I welcome the opportunity to say a few words on this topic which is of great importance if we are to get out of the recession. For many generations agriculture has been the basis of growth and work for the population and the business that kept families going. However, we must move forward and find a better way. It has been noted that world food demand is growing at an enormous rate and that in a number of years 50% more food will be required. In Ireland the dairy and beef sectors are in a state of crisis. As one of the finest producers of beef and milk in the world, the appropriate marketing is lacking and the Government is falling down in the marketing of Irish products. While organisations such as the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society Limited have done tremendous work, they require some help to market products. The Government should facilitate organisations such as the agricultural co-operative societies in their efforts to gain markets abroad for the great produce and products produced in Ireland.

In addition, the Government is falling down in respect of education. I refer, in particular, to the proposed closure of Mountbellew College, the last agricultural college in the west. For many generations it has trained farmers, farm managers and agricultural graduates. Its closure is being proposed at a time when it is operating at full capacity and offering some great courses in conjunction with GMIT, Galway. It is a highly retrograde step for the Government to stand idly by and allow Teagasc to close the only remaining agricultural college in the west. Not too long ago there were three such agricultural colleges in the west, as well as 11 or 12 nationally, but that number has fallen to approximately three.

The Government should be examining this area of education. I recently read an article pertaining to the Netherlands, in which there are 14 or more agricultural colleges. Night courses are available in such colleges, as well as courses on every aspect of agriculture, marketing, processing and so forth. If we are to gain from our agricultural base, education must play a part. Even at this late stage the Government should tell Teagasc that education is the way forward and that it should train both young farmers and those who will work in the agriculture sector in the years to come. Such persons need education and a good foundation in agriculture. While this measure may save €2 million or €3 million in the short term, in the long term such facilities would provide a great basis of education for those who intend to enter this line of business.

The market gardening sector is one in which millions of euro can be saved through import substitution. A glance at shelves throughout the country will show that vegetables are imported on a massive scale. Were the Government to prioritise education and work in close co-operation with co-operative societies, Ireland undoubtedly would be able to substitute the entire range of fresh and frozen vegetables being imported on a massive scale. I refer to potatoes, potato chips, vegetables and so forth which are being imported in processed, frozen and fresh form on a massive scale. The Government has not done enough in this regard. While I must compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, who has done some work in this area, the matter requires urgent attention. This is a measure that would pay for itself in the long run, were a proper education to be provided and the proper marketing measures put in place. While I acknowledge it probably would be necessary to put in place the proper processing units on a co-operative basis, it could provide a great foundation, prevent imports and lead to the creation of many thousands of jobs.