Paraic Brady (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his election. It is not my first time to speak in this Chamber as I was invited here by the Cathaoirleach when I was with the AILG to represent the council and the local elected members. I thank my family, my friends and my supporters for the last 11 years. I thank Longford County Council and all the staff within that council for making it possible for me to be here today. I thank all of the elected members - the councillors - for an easy campaign and for their courtesy when I visited them during the campaign.

I would like to say something that we have instilled in Longford in recent years. When we come into a chamber, we say that we will put on the blue and gold. I think that, in this House, we should put on the green jersey and we should work for the betterment of our country. I will not be found wanting when it comes to that.

I stand here as a proud farmer. A number of years ago, I was outside the gates of Leinster House trying to get the people inside the gates to listen to farmers and our needs. Now, I am delighted to be inside the gates to represent that community. I thank the Clerk, Martin Groves, and his team for the hospitality and the service they have shown since I have come here.

It is very important that we protect our food and protect our imports and exports. Without protection and knowledge regarding our food sources and looking after rural farmers and small farmers, we will run into dangerous times. There is the Mercosur deal coming in from Europe and there are several other policies and documents that will come in front of us. I look forward to this challenge. I look forward to working with the 11 other Members who were elected on the agricultural panel to do what we said we would do, and to represent the agricultural sector in all its forms. I hope Deputy Martin Heydon will be a strong voice as Minister for agriculture.He has listened in the past and I know he will be listening to our concerns going forward. The backbone of our country is agriculture. When we ran into a recession in the past, it was the agricultural sector that took us out of it and we must not forget that. I look forward to working with everybody in the House and wearing the green jersey for the betterment of the country.