Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

On a serious note there is a significant threat to the health of bee populations in Ireland and across Europe and North America, with the result that honey has become a valuable commodity. We should be much more proactive in developing a commercial honey industry in this country. One should consider what has been achieved in Scotland in the Scottish Highlands on the back of heather in particular, where tens of thousands of tonnes of highly valuable honey now are being produced very successfully on a farmed basis. While the industry here seeks to expand, efforts are being made to bring under control one particular disease issue. Unless I am mistaken, approval is close for a treatment for the pest in question. I am unsure whether it has been approved yet but it certainly is on the way to being approved. As regards the welfare of bees, my understanding is that beekeeping is covered. However, I might revert to Senator Brennan in writing on that to avoid being quoted in the next edition of the Phoenix magazine or something similar.