Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)

I want to raise an issue that was doing the rounds in reports this morning in Sligo and Leitrim that the Teagasc office in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, is to close. This purpose-built office was opened in the 1970s to give advice to farmers in the area. Recently, staff from Teagasc's Sligo office were moved there and the office now employs six people serving north Leitrim and north Sligo. It would be a concern if the office was closed, as reports suggest, and staff moved to Ballymote or Mohill in south Leitrim. We must do everything in our power to prevent this.

The Manorhamilton office hosts nightly discussion groups for beef farmers. Now that farming is doing well, it is important these services are kept in place, particularly for young farmers. We must do everything we can to ensure the Manorhamilton office remains open and the six jobs are kept there. It would send out the wrong signal if it were to close.