Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have clearly set out Ireland's position at Council and in the trilogue process. Over the next ten years, we will spend €22 billion on climate-related activities, which is €1 in every €5 being spent under the national development plan and is not an insignificant amount. I defy anyone in this House or the other House to reference the sugar industry with me. I was the one who stood up at the public meetings and who took the abuse in this House and the other House for trying to defend the sugar industry. I recall being browbeaten by the Government and many farmers when I tried to defend the retention and development of a sugar industry in this country.Shame on all of the organisations at the time. I was, sadly, proven right and now we are in a situation where we are trying to re-establish an industry because of the shortsightedness of the Government and the sugar industry at time. They preferred to take the quick shilling from the European Commission rather than look at the long-term future needs of this country.