Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I second the amendment proposed by Senator David Norris. He has made an impassioned plea to maintain the standards in the House, one of which is the Order of Business. He is concerned about the removal of the Order of Business, Adjournment Matters and other issues. We have succeeded for many years and have established a code of practice. As the House meets on a Friday and extra days, it would be a shame to drop some of the high standards attained.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe drew attention to the major investment by some of the companies associated with the milk sector, and these were mentioned today and in the past week or two. The reason for the significant investment in the next couple of years is the removal of the milk quota in two years time. This is a reminder that we have not scrutinised well enough the legislation we have allowed to be passed by the EU. I suggest the concept of milk quotas was to protect certain sectors of the community and it may have been to protect farmers in other countries rather than in Ireland. The removal of milk quotas is an opportunity to invest not only in farming but in milk associated food products. Our future does not lie solely in the production of basic agricultural products but in associated added value foods. That is where the jobs, investment and success can be found in the future.

I draw attention to new legislation passed recently in the US, the Entrepreneurs Access to Capital Act, which enables small investors to invest on the Internet with small companies. They do not have to meet them and establish the same stock market quotations. These are people who have got good ideas and seek funding which comes from small investors, but they do it via the Internet. I suggest the Government consider a similar Bill. If not, perhaps we in the Seanad can do it ourselves.