Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange a debate on agriculture. As we all know ICOS and the Irish Dairy Board have played a major role over the decades in promoting jobs, Irish products and Irish farm produce throughout the world. The recently published Food Harvest 2020 report warrants considerable debate in this House and I ask the Deputy Leader for a debate on it in early January. Included in the report is the piloting of new product streams and it outlines where we can put in resources to pilot new products in Europe and beyond. This is a growth area and one of the few areas in which we could see an expansion of products and jobs which are much needed at this time. It also proposes a smart research and development approach with the Government, the co-operatives and companies investing in research and development. This is a growth area for the country and could be the catalyst for the country to take off again. The co-operatives have played a major role and there is a bigger role for them to play in coming decades. I ask the Deputy Leader to impress on the Leader the need for a debate early in the new year particularly on the Food Harvest 2020 report.