Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Murphy, I wish to discuss horticulture. The Deputy Leader is an active advocate for the industry in north County Dublin. I know from Bord na Móna and others in the horticultural sector that they appreciate her hands-on connection and that she has visited them in the field. I wish to convey that feedback to her.

I welcome the announcement yesterday by the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, about the horticultural crisis fund. I believe it was the third announcement of the scheme. I welcome the heavy emphasis on organics, but there are two anomalies. What are commonly called white mushrooms in the trade – they are the mushrooms we usually buy, although there are others in the system – are excluded from the scheme. To quote from the Irish Farmers’ Journal: “Exclusion of mushroom sector from crisis fund is ‘beyond belief’ – IFA”. I have looked through the agricultural journals in the Library downstairs today. They are full of questions asking why the Government is singling out mushrooms and excluding them from the horticultural crisis fund. I will tell the House why. It is because they are linked to peat, which is the subject of controversy. Mushrooms should not be penalised. Irish mushrooms are a fantastic crop. Indeed, three or four aeroplanes leave Dublin Airport every week to fly mushrooms into London and Paris. Those mushrooms are also on our shelves. Is that not a great thing to be able to say about horticulture, including Irish mushrooms? Let us support them.

Strawberries are also excluded. Growing them in season is easy, but if you want early or late strawberries, you will use cloches, polytunnels or glasshouses. You need to heat them and, more importantly, you also need to ventilate them, both of which require energy. Strawberries are now being disadvantaged because they have also been excluded. It is wrong that strawberries and white mushrooms are excluded from the scheme. There are underlying reasons for them being singled out, which we need to address.

I ask the Deputy Leader – she will be supportive of it – to arrange a comprehensive debate and statements on the horticultural industry at some point in the near future.