John Carty (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Shatter, and wish him well in his portfolio over the next few years. I wish to speak specifically on agriculture, which is my forte. It is good that this Government, like the previous one, is taking Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, reform very seriously and that it is its aim to ensure the envelope will be to the benefit of Irish agriculture. The negotiations which have taken, and will take, place before the final package is produced will be vital for Ireland. The new Government should get cross-party support in getting the best deal for Ireland. This is a time when the green jersey must be worn. I acknowledge that in the many debates on agriculture in this House, there has always been constructive debate and support from across the benches. The negotiations will be hard and we must strongly support each other.

In the Food Harvest 2020 report, the previous Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, identified beef and dairy as areas where there will be room for huge expansion. I am delighted this also gets special mention in the programme for Government.

It is important the agriculture sector is strongly supported and that production is kept at a maximum with guaranteed prices for the product. Ireland has a wonderful reputation for producing the best of quality food from a very good clean environment and we must build on that. With a rising world population, there will be a food shortage. Indeed, at one point last year, we were told there was only 26 days food supply left in Europe, so it is imperative we are allowed to produce quality food, getting a fair price and support for doing so.

I note also that the Government will prioritise a programme of law reform arising out of recommendations made by the Law Reform Commission. Where will legislation to ban a number of unfair trading practices in the retail sector, such as so-called hello money from food suppliers, be on the list of priorities? I hope it will be high on that list and I would like the Minister, when replying, to tell us where it will be.

The programme for Government states that building on the existing Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Government will create a single food safety monitoring agency responsible for food safety inspection from farm to fork. I hope this will not be another layer of bureaucracy and red tape. I ask the Minister to ensure this does not happen.

I congratulate the new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Coveney, and wish him well in what will be difficult negotiations in Europe. I will not be a Member of the next Seanad but I urge the Members of it to give the agriculture sector their full support. I wish all my colleagues and friends seeking re-election the very best of luck in the forthcoming election.