Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In welcoming the acting leader of Fianna Fáil, Senator Ó Domhnaill, it seems Donegal is on a roll. With regard to the Irish Farmers Association's day of action, every organisation has a right to advocate for an individual sector, and agriculture is no different.

We have seen a very strong statement by the agrifood sector and rural Ireland outside the doors of Leinster House today that a successful outcome to the Common Agricultural Policy negotiations is vital. The Government is totally focused on ensuring the Common Agricultural Policy reform negotiations receive full priority. Anybody who was in the House last week listening to the Minister, Deputy Coveney, will realise that we have a person who will champion the efforts of Irish agriculture and farm families in the negotiations. I do not believe we could have a better person representing the country and farm families.

I do not intend to accept the proposed amendment to the Order of Business. I understand a similar amendment on the same issue was proposed by Senator Darragh O'Brien to the Order of Business only on Thursday last and it was voted down. I suggest we should not accept the proposed amendment to the Order of Business.

I will not get involved in the Private Members' debate we will have tomorrow. Senator Ó Domhnaill will have ample time during the debate on his party's Private Members' motion to express his concerns about that subject.

Senator Bacik welcomed the reforms to the junior certificate programme. They will be welcomed by many but not by others. I am sure we will have a debate with the Minister in attendance in the House in early course. The Senator also spoke about the improvement of urban centres. I could try to arrange a debate on that issue.

Senator Zappone raised a question on civil rights, especially in regard to eastern European countries, and called for the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs to come into the House to outline the policies for our Presidency of the EU. I have arranged that and the Minister of State will come to the House in the next few weeks to address the points the Senator raised.

Senators Clune, Noone, Mullins, Paul Coghlan and others welcomed the development announced by the Kerry Group which will lead to the creation of 900 jobs by 2016 and 400 temporary construction jobs. This ¤100 million investment is a reflection of the enormous importance of the agrifood sector to this country and the potential economic benefit it may deliver in terms of exports, job creation and Ireland's global reputation as a centre for innovation. This is a very important development. We won the case and it was not just a simple matter, as Senator Noone mentioned, of putting on the green jersey. We were in strong competition with the cities of London and Amsterdam to secure these much sought after jobs. I am sure it will be a wonderful development. We would all like to congratulate everybody involved, Enterprise Ireland and everybody associated with this new development.

Senator Barrett raised the matter of the heads of a proposed universities (amendment) Bill 2012. Requests have been made for the Minister for Education and Skills to come into the House to deal with a wide range of subjects. I will speak to the Minister and perhaps we could debate the heads of that Bill as a separate item. Members have requested a debate on third level education, the reforms to the junior certificate programme and various other areas of education. I will try to arrange for the Minister to come to the House to deal with all those items and will inquire from him whether he is willing to come here to debate the heads of the proposed legislation.

Senator Hayden has raised the matter of how insolvency legislation applies to SMEs and requested the Minister for Justice and Equality to give his comments on that issue. I can arrange that. I suggest the point should also be raised with the Minister of State with responsibility for small businesses when he will be in the House in matter of minutes speaking on the subject of SMEs.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh's contribution was the usual positive one we hear from Sinn Féin on everything that moves. The Senator will have ample opportunity to discuss the many items he raised in his discourse.