Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support my colleague, Senator Mac Conghail, in his call for a debate on the sale of forest harvesting rights. It would be good to have that debate because it would enlighten all of us in considering what is the best way forward. I believe no decision has yet been made. Our forests provide many amenities, with walking and other activities taking place in them. We must consider that before making a decision.

I wish to raise the Central Applications Office, CAO, points for students entering agricultural colleges or doing third level courses. The points have increased by 5.5% this year and since 2007 there has been an increase of 40% in the number of points required. It is very important that we give our students every opportunity to go to third level agricultural colleges. There has been a 10% increase in the number of jobs in the farming and fish sectors over the last couple of years. There is a great future in those sectors, especially now that we are reaching the endgame with Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, reform, which will generate certainty for agribusiness. It is therefore important that as many students as possible take up agricultural courses.