Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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On behalf of Seanad Éireann, I welcome Mr. Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development. Commissioner Hogan has been invited by the Seanad to address the House as a distinguished person. Before his appointment in 2014 as a member of the European Commission, Mr. Hogan had a long and distinguished career in Irish politics. He served on Kilkenny County Council, becoming the country's youngest council chairman in 1985. Commissioner Hogan was elected to this House in 1987 and was first elected to the Dáil in 1989. He has served as Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.

Commissioner Hogan took up his post in Brussels with EU experience already under his belt. He had chaired the European People's Party group of environment Ministers from 2012 to 2014 and presided over the Council of EU Environment Ministers during the Irish Presidency in 2013. In addition to his many years of political experience, the Commissioner brings to the Agriculture and Rural Development portfolio practical experience of agriculture, having managed his family's farm for a number of years in his early twenties.

Commissioner Hogan took office in Brussels after a very successful hearing before the European Parliament's agriculture committee. The first item in his in-tray was the need to deal with the fallout from the Russian ban on EU agricultural products. The Commissioner extended aid to affected sectors while, at the same time, preventing cuts to farmers' direct payments by overturning the activation of the crisis reserve. This ensured farmers did not have to pay the price for an international political conflict that they had not caused. In order to access new markets for products affected by the ban, Commissioner Hogan announced a big increase in the EU promotion budget from €60 million to €200 million.

The Commissioner has placed simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, at the top of his political agenda in his first year in office. He has already simplified the guidelines for direct payments and extended the deadline for applications by a month, to allow farmers and administrations more time to adjust to the new system. The Commissioner intends to announce further simplification measures in the coming months. Commissioner Hogan has been active in brokering agreement in Council on the organics reform, a €22 billion sector which is growing rapidly at a rate of 9% per annum. He has also brought forward changes to the school schemes which will benefit some of the most deprived students.

It will come as no surprise to anyone familiar with Commissioner Hogan's interactive way of working that he has made it his business to seek out the views of stakeholders and parliamentarians on the ground in member states. Knowing the importance of keeping in touch with the constituencies, in just over seven months in the job, he has already visited 12 member states and ten national and regional parliaments to discuss with national politicians the issues affecting the agrifood sector in their areas. The Commissioner's visit to the Seanad and, later today, to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is tangible evidence of his active engagement.

In addition to his immediate challenges in the agriculture and rural development portfolio, Commissioner Hogan has joined a Commission which has many other significant challenges to grapple with. The humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean, youth unemployment, the difficult situation in Greece, and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, TTIP, are just some of the issues which face Commissioner Hogan and his colleagues. I have no doubt Commissioner Hogan has the insight, energy and commitment to play an important part in tackling all of the issues that face the Commission. On behalf of Seanad Éireann, I wish you well, Commissioner, in your efforts. Commissioner, I am delighted to welcome you back to the House in which you made your maiden speech on the national stage. You follow a number of your illustrious predecessors who, as EU Commissioners, also addressed the Seanad, among them Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, David Byrne, Jacques Santer and Neil Kinnock. It is a privilege for me to invite you to address the House. I also welcome your staff, Tom Tynan, Dermot Ryan, Olof Gill - a Mayo man - and Barbara Nolan, who heads up the European office here in Dublin.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

A Chathaoirligh agus a Sheanadóirí, I am delighted to be here among friends today. As a former Member of this House, it is always a pleasure to return here to engage with Senators, some of whom are, of course, former colleagues of mine. I cut my political teeth here as a young Senator between 1987 and 1989. I would like to think that some of the skills I learned and the friendships I made in this esteemed House served me well in subsequent years. I pay tribute to the work of Senators as legislators and to highlight the important role they play in scrutinising EU legislation.

As a politician, I believe that the more the EU institutions engage with and listen to national parliaments, the healthier it is for the functioning of the EU and the body politic generally. I am glad to say President Juncker has made this a priority for him and the new Commission. As a result, as stated by the Cathaoirleach, on my visits to national capitals I have visited nearly a dozen parliaments. Everywhere I go, I am glad to receive feedback and insights from the politicians who are on the ground dealing with the realities of agricultural politics. Of course, the issues are as rich and varied as Europe itself, from the vineyards and olive groves of southern Europe to the reindeer farms of the north, not to forget our own cattle marts.

David Norris (Independent)
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I do not wish to be discourteous in any sense to the Commissioner, but in light of the fact the media have been provided with copies of his speech, could Members of the House also be provided with one?

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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We do not have copies of the Commissioner's speech.

David Norris (Independent)
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They are only for the media.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

I believe both Houses of the Oireachtas can, and should, work even more closely with European institutions. The Danish system for EU scrutiny could serve as one example worthy of closer study. I know that Members of this Parliament have done so in the past.

Often, the much maligned EU red tape is produced in national capitals. This occurs at the implementation phase of law-making. Such red tape, which causes an unnecessary administrative burden for citizens and businesses, is often the main cause of scepticism and misunderstanding of what the EU is about. There is a great deal of debate about the current role and function of the Seanad. I believe the Seanad could play a very strong role as a red tape clearing house. When a new EU law is being implemented in Ireland, Senators could scrutinise every provision and ensure that no more than what is necessary is included in the implementation phase. Ministers and senior civil servants should increasingly come to this House and account for any provisions which are not included in the original EU directive. I am aware the committee on EU scrutiny already plays such a role, but nevertheless I think that given the specialist skills, in a vocational sense, that are available in the Seanad, it could provide new leadership and focus on ensuring EU laws are fairly and proportionately implemented in Ireland. I would welcome Senators' feedback on this point.

As shown in a recent Red C poll, Irish citizens remain highly committed to the EU. This is remarkable, given the trying political and economic climate of recent years. It is also indicative of what my Commission colleague, Pierre Moscovici, described on his visit to Dublin as the "atmosphere of hope and renewal that we all now sense here, after years of difficult but necessary reforms". Most members of the electorate acknowledge and appreciate the benefits from EU membership, recognising that the pros of membership strongly outweigh the cons. EU membership was the catalyst for large-scale infrastructural investment, comprehensive environmental protection, enhanced regional development, as well as a host of legal and policy improvements across the political and social spectrum.

Access to the EU Single Market and its 500 million consumers has been an immense boon to Ireland's export-oriented economy and the potential for further growth is immense. As an island, being part of a Union with free movement of goods, persons, services and capital, has transformed our horizons and opened up new opportunities for Irish people right across Europe in business in education and in many other spheres. Ireland also continues to benefit from a multitude of European investment programmes and supports. The EU budget for the next six years will continue to benefit Irish agriculture, regional and infrastructural investment, research, technology and innovation, entrepreneurship and support for SMEs, energy efficiency, education, training and labour activation measures.

This has not been all one-way traffic. Since going to Brussels I have become very conscious of the appreciation of the very meaningful contribution that this country has made, be it via our participation in peace-keeping missions, the pioneering work done by many Irish Commissioners, MEPs, officials and the widely recognised success of numerous Irish EU Presidencies. Joining the European family also brought us out of our shell as a nation, gradually injecting a new dynamism and confidence in our international outlook. Leveraging the European platform has also given us a stronger voice in the world. Through this interdependence, our own independence has been enhanced. Due in no small part to a strategic, sensible and intelligent engagement with Europe during a time of unprecedented economic difficulty, Ireland has begun a strong recovery and one that has been at the top of the European charts in terms of the economic growth rate, rising employment, and increasing foreign direct investment in the past two years. However, much work remains to be done in order to restore growth, job creation and social cohesion across the member states.

The current European Commission took office at a most challenging moment in European history. With youth unemployment in particular at catastrophic levels in many member states and investment flat-lining, the new Junker Commission has had to hit the ground running. We resolved to do whatever we could to make a difference. The collective goal has been to act decisively and quickly, to provide hope for European citizens and to water the green shoots of recovery. We are now focusing our energies on cutting red tape and lightening the regulatory burden to enhance competitiveness. However, we are also being prudent and selective. We have delivered a radical €315 billion investment package to support investments in infrastructure including broadband, energy networks, and transport and renewable energy. We have an ambitious digital Single Market strategy designed to create the conditions for a vibrant digital economy and for a European energy union to underpin energy supply security and to further integrate national energy markets. I am particularly conscious of the need to ensure we retain a competitive tax structure for business and workers in Europe in order to make the EU attractive for third country investors.

I wish to take this opportunity to commend the outstanding service done by the captain and crew of LE Eithneas part of the European humanitarian operations. I echo the sentiments of the Taoiseach who put it so well when he said that Commander Pearse O'Donnell and his crew embody this country's "extraordinary humanitarian personality".

I believe the Commission's new work programme will make an immediate difference for jobs, growth and investment to the benefit of all of the EU's citizens in 2015, with large-scale projects starting to come on stream by September. I am naturally delighted that the €70 million investment in 14 primary care centres was among the first tranche of projects under the Juncker plan and Ireland was among the first four member states to draw down finance from the EIB under the plan. This investment will see top quality new health care facilities being built here in the immediate time ahead.

The introduction of a greater degree of flexibility in the Stability and Growth Pact will also help strengthen the link between structural reforms and investment in support of jobs and growth. I assure the House that the Commission's role is to support Ireland in making the ongoing recovery as broad-based and durable as possible. By promoting co-ordination with and between member states, we can help to avoid the mistakes of the past but this will only work with strong ownership by national governments and national parliaments. Debates and discussions in joint Oireachtas committees on important topics such as the European semester are very welcome. I would encourage Members to continue to build on this engagement.

As for the social dimension of our work, I am delighted that my colleague, Commissioner Thyssen, has fast-tracked funding for the Youth Guarantee programme so that young people who are out of work can get started quickly. Last week we announced a new fund providing finance for micro-entrepreneurs and for social enterprises. That is why we have moved quickly to build in more flexibility to the Stability and Growth Pact. We have moved to get the investment programme up and running as quickly as possible. We do not believe that economic and social policies are separate domains; they must run hand in hand and reinforce one another. We must ensure that economic growth is widely shared and that our young people can find jobs and that when a person loses a job, he or she will be given all possible assistance in finding another job. The emphasis in all our policies at all levels is on getting more people of all ages into the workforce. To do this, we need to strike a balance between flexible and secure labour contracts, avoid the divide between insiders with high protections and wages and outsiders, shift taxes away from labour, deliver tailored supports to allow the unemployed to re-enter the labour market, improve educational opportunities and promote lifelong learning. Beyond the labour markets, it is important to ensure that every citizen has access to an adequate education and that an effective social protection system is in place to protect the most vulnerable in society, including a social protection floor. Our populations are ageing rapidly and we still need major reforms to ensure that pension and health care systems can cope with this societal shift. These reforms will include aligning the age of retirement with current life expectancy, something which is already happening in Ireland.

Yesterday President Juncker outlined his vision to secure the long-term success of economic and monetary union. This includes a push for a stronger integration of national labour markets by facilitating mobility across both geographic and professional spectrums, including through better recognition of qualifications and better co-ordination of social security systems. Agriculture will also have a key role to play and, as Commissioner, I am visiting every EU member state in the initial part of my term to listen and learn from Europe's farming community but also to deliver the message that the European agrifood sector can be a vital driver of job creation and growth. It is important to convey this message, not just in the marts and the farmyards, but also to urban audiences. It is crucial that awareness of the role and importance of agriculture spreads from our rural areas to our towns and cities, from the farmyard to the school yard. I know that I am preaching to the converted in Ireland on the importance of the agrifood sector. This sector has arguably contributed more than any other to Irish economic recovery, with 61,000 new agriculture, forestry and fisheries jobs created in 2013 alone. With the CAP now reformed and more market oriented, the changing international context provides a wealth of opportunities for forward thinking farmers and agribusinesses. Global demand for high quality, traceable food and drink will continue to increase, particularly in emerging markets. Every year until 2030, at least 150 million people will be entering the global middle class. This massive growth in disposable income will result in significant changes to dietary patterns. For example, global demand for dairy products is predicted to increase by an annual rate of 2% and the recent ending of milk quotas means that Irish farmers should be very well placed to capitalise on that opportunity.

However, I am aware of the fears surrounding short-term volatility in the milk sector. The year 2014, after all, was a year which saw record prices and production as good weather, combined with the ramping up of production ahead of the end of milk quotas, led to buoyant output. However, the medium to long-term trend is positive and the figures do not lie. The growing global middle class will continue to demand more dairy products and Ireland is ideally placed to feed that demand. With regard to the future, I want ambitious and entrepreneurial Europeans, particularly younger citizens, to view the agrifood sector as an attractive career prospect. The reformed CAP provides many incentives encouraging young and new farmers to enter the sector, while our committed pursuit of new markets will open new opportunities to be grasped.

However, we cannot lose sight of the environmental imperatives underpinning these changes. That is why sustainable intensification will be driven by research, collaboration, innovation and investment. The sum of €3.6 billion is available at EU level between now and 2020 to fund synergies between agriculture and research via Horizon 2020 and the European Innovation Partnership , "Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability". Co-operation projects will involve farmers and foresters, together with other food chain actors and researchers. As a recent Irish-led example, the Teagasc project LANDMARK was selected for funding following the first Horizon 2020 calls for proposal funding. It specialises in soil management and was selected by experts as the best proposal submitted in the soil function category. Concrete innovation projects can also be funded under the rural development programmes.

I am glad to note that Ireland has decided to take up the EIB approach in its rural development programme, co-financed under the new CAP. In order to support the significant on-farm investment required for farmers and agribusinesses to make these changes, I have been working with the European Investment Bank to tailor a fund offering cheap finance over a 12 to 15 year horizon to farmers wishing to upgrade and expand their production. This is a time of unprecedented challenges as well as opportunities for the agrifood sector and I urge all Members of this House to provide every support to Irish farmers in the coming months in order to create more employment opportunities. I would also like to pay tribute to the Seanad's comprehensive report on farm safety, which was published last month. I know Senators will share my conviction that Irish farmers and agribusinesses, leveraging national and EU policy and investment instruments, can do great things in the coming years. Many of our European neighbours currently have a more complex set of relationships with the European Union, a fact it behoves us to address in a thoughtful, proactive way. It is critical that this House, as a representative body of Irish democracy, deals with these questions comprehensively. In Greece, as Members are aware, too many citizens are still suffering the economic and social consequences of their difficult national situation. The Commission is playing its part, as one of the institutions, in attempting to resolve the impasse. The steadfast commitment among EU institutions is to find solutions for Greece within the European family and within our common European currency.

Meanwhile, there is also the question of a certain island not far from this one. The question of the UK's relationship to Europe has not gone away and with the clock now ticking to an inevitable in-out referendum, decision makers in Brussels and Dublin must begin shaping their message. From the European point of view, President Juncker said earlier this month that he believes Prime Minister Cameron "wants to dock his country permanently to Europe". This is an attitude I believe all Irish citizens can and must endorse. However, as an avowedly pro-European nation on the one hand and as the UK's closest trading partner and ally on the other, striking the right balance is imperative. We must find the correct tone and timbre for the appeal that we as a nation ultimately make to our neighbours.

This country has an extraordinary recent experience of how a positive campaign, which appeals to the better nature and fair play of citizens, can deliver positive results. This is the approach I expect will be employed at every level of Irish society. I congratulate the Members of this House who were involved in that campaign, on whatever side, for the dignified and respectful way in which the campaign was waged. There is no time to waste in terms of the matters that need to be addressed. The eyes of Europe are watching and the approach Ireland takes will be studied closely.

Ireland's European journey has taken some unexpected turns and even some challenging off-road paths, but the direction has remained constant. I believe Irish citizens recognise that this small, dynamic and outward-looking nation still has much to gain from being a prominent member of a Europe continually striving for a more perfect union. The electoral choices made in Ireland are also studied keenly in Europe and the brave and inclusive decision to democratically endorse marriage equality last month was widely hailed. The positive and hopeful message of this popular vote reverberated around every European capital. That is why it would be remiss of me, while here, not to pay tribute to the work done by all who played a crucial role in the campaign, across all parties and none, for their particular dedication and hard work in this regard.

I am more confident than ever that our nation's destiny will remain firmly intertwined with the destiny of the European Union. This House has a central role to play in shaping that destiny and I look forward to working with it as we rise to this challenge with purpose and pride. Go raibh maith agaibh.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I will share my time with Senator Comiskey.

I welcome the Commissioner to Seanad Éireann, a House in which he served from 1987 to 1989 and in which, as a Minister, he had many a robust and lengthy debate over the years. I compliment and congratulate Mr. Hogan on his appointment as Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development and on his work since his appointment, which has been commented on favourably.

Agriculture and its development are of paramount importance to Ireland and having a friend in court, so to speak, cannot but increase the understanding of Irish positions on rural affairs and agriculture at Commission level. I welcome Mr. Hogan's comments in regard to the proposed role of Seanad Éireann in European Union affairs and assure him it is our intention to play a more prominent role in these matters. The European Union’s agriculture budget amounts to €60 billion, making up approximately 40% of the overall budget. Agriculture is fundamental to our economy and is leading Ireland’s economic recovery. The appointment of Mr. Hogan as Commissioner is a great boost for our agriculture industry.

I also welcome the recent announcement by the Commissioner of a further 24 rural development programmes, aimed at improving the competitiveness of the EU farming sector, caring for the countryside and climate and strengthening the economic and social fabric of rural communities in the period until 2020. The programmes are expected to create over 40,000 jobs in rural areas and about 700,000 training places to foster innovation, knowledge transfer, more sustainable farming practices and stronger rural businesses. Funding worth €27 billion has been made available, with over €2.19 billion agreed for Ireland. The key priorities mentioned were the modernisation of farms, support for young farmers, sustainable land management, and an improvement of broadband infrastructures through various regional and national programmes.

I wish Mr. Hogan well in his post and shall now hand over to the Fine Gael spokesperson on agriculture, Senator Comiskey.

Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Commissioner to the House this afternoon. I thank him for coming to address us on his work as the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development. I congratulate him on his appointment as Commissioner, a very vital and prestigious role. Irish agriculture has gained a lot from membership of the European Union. It is important that we acknowledge the importance of the Common Agricultural Policy in Ireland.

I welcome the recent approval of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 by the EU Commission. The formal adoption of the RDP marks the next step in the roll-out of the reformed Common Agricultural Policy agreed under Ireland's Presidency of the European Union. The implementation of a number of key schemes contained in the RDP have been announced in the past few weeks. The continued roll-out of the RDP schemes and supports will help to underpin economic growth and development throughout rural Ireland.

The RDP contains approximately €4 billion worth of schemes and supports, including a new agri-environment and climate scheme, GLAS, which is the successor to previous REPS and AEOS schemes, and a range of other environmental schemes. The supports include support for areas of natural constraint, formerly known as disadvantaged areas; support for a range of on-farm capital investments; support for a range of knowledge transfer measures; and support for projects delivered via the Leader mechanism which is operated by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The schemes contained in the RDP also pay special attention to young farmers and older young farmers which are elements of our farming community that can sometimes be overlooked.

While there are many success stories contained in the RDP, the introduction of the beef data and genomics programme has proved tricky. The BDGP is a very beneficial scheme which will see €52 million invested every year and will provide €300 million in total to the suckler industry in Ireland. Undoubtedly, genomic testing will improve the quality of our herds from four-star to five-star cows thus leading to better performance in the herd. The star ratings have been a cause of concern for some farmers who believe that the criteria for the scheme should be lower, possibly as low as three star but rising to five star later on.

An aspect of the scheme which has proved divisive is that the scheme will have a total span of six years. That may prove difficult for some farmers. Another issue is the set reference year. It means that farmers who do not have cows in the reference year of 2014 will be unable to enter the scheme thereafter. I am interested in hearing the Commissioner's view on these points.

In conclusion, I thank the Commissioner for addressing us today and wish to let him know that I have looked forward to hearing his address.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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I am delighted that the Commissioner is here today. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I formally congratulate him on his appointment as EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development. I know he will carry out the role with great distinction. We will watch very closely how our Commissioner performs. I know he is a European Commissioner but I have used the term "our Commissioner" because he was appointed by Ireland. I wish him well in his new role.

I have only five minutes which restricts what I can say and, therefore, I shall focus on a couple of areas. The Commissioner has highlighted, in the short time he has been in the role, the area of below-cost selling in agricultural and horticultural sectors. The issue crosses all borders and affects all member states. The issue of below-cost selling affects growers in Poland as much as it affects growers in Ireland. I am interested in hearing, from a European Commission perspective, what the Commissioner believes the Commission can do, and Europe can do, to insure that we have a sustainable and viable horticultural and agricultural sectors.

The Commissioner mentioned the potential for growth in the agrifood sector. That potential has been proven in recent years, with Ireland at the cutting edge in terms of research and bringing new products to market. We all know about our successes in the dairy sector in respect of powdered milk and so on. Will Mr. Hogan outline the efforts that are being made from a Commission perspective to ensure the EU is to the forefront in accessing new markets, including those in China and South America?

When delegates from the Irish Farmers Association attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine last April to discuss below-cost selling and its impact on producers throughout the country, what was very clear was that the strength of the multiple retailers, many of which operate across all European borders, is disproportionate in this market. The power they wield in terms of purchasing capacity is having a particularly detrimental effect on family-run farms and businesses in Ireland. I was reminded during those discussions that the Lisbon treaty, which was passed by the Irish people in a referendum, offers a commitment that farmers in the EU are entitled to make a fair and sustainable living from the land. Ireland must step up its focus in this regard, perhaps by looking to what Britain and other member states are doing. There should be a pan-European approach to ensuring our agriculture and horticulture sectors are sustainable and that young farmers and growers see a future for themselves and their families. That is not currently the case, the reason being the scourge of below-cost selling.

I very much welcome the Commissioner's efforts to highlight this issue in the seven or eight months he has been in office and I hope he will continue to do so. Will he outline how he sees the matter progressing in the coming months from a Commission perspective? The power exercised by the multiples is an issue that is of particular concern to me as a representative of north Dublin, but it also is of concern to farmers all over the country and all across Europe. I do not want to see a wholesale industrialisation of farming in this country. Some of the multiples are now involved in farming in Britain, which would be an unwelcome development here. I am interested to hear the Commissioner's view on this.

I noted Mr. Hogan's comments on the social aspects of the Commission's works and the potential for a so-called Grexit and Brexit. We all hope it will not come to that. I would be glad to hear Mr. Hogan's views on the upcoming referendum in Britain in the context of how important the EU market is for British farmers. I thank the Commissioner for giving of his time and wish him well in his work in the coming years. It gives hope to a lowly Senator to see somebody who started out in this House achieving such high office. One never knows what heights one might reach.

Denis Landy (Labour)
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I welcome the Commissioner to the Chamber and commend him on the work he has done so far. I am sure he has been to many far-flung places since he took up his role but I am certain, too, that he is aware that the Kilkenny hurling team seems to have unearthed another Henry Shefflin at the weekend in the guise of Ger Aylward from Glenmore. I hope Mr. Hogan is keeping an eye on those things, as we are in Tipperary. Will he offer his support to the campaign that has been launched to achieve European heritage status for the game of hurling? It is our most ancient sport, going back to the 12th century, and has massive significance from an historical perspective. I am sure the Commissioner, as somebody who likes to think he will be attending a match in Croke Park every September, will assist that campaign in any way he can.

As I said, I commend Mr. Hogan on the work he has done thus far as Commissioner. When he took up the role, he was given quite a number of tasks: the implementation of the CAP; ensuring expenditure on rural development would result in jobs; paying particular attention to the principle of subsidiarity; the simplification of direct payments for greening and rural development; achieving energy efficiency and emissions reductions; and contributing to the 2016 review of the multiannual financial framework by identifying ways of further increasing the focus of the CAP on jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness. Since he has taken up his role, he has been extremely busy. He has approved and overseen the 24 rural development programmes, as already stated. I am glad to state that, at national level, we are progressing very well in this area. Most of the plans from the various boards have been approved at this stage. Only a few are outstanding, including that from my county. I hope this will be resolved very soon. The plans will see up to 40,000 jobs created in rural areas and provide training for over 700,000 people.

The Commissioner has approved 41 new programmes to promote agricultural products in the European Union, emphasising in particular third-country markets. He has commented that we must take on the challenge presented by the end of the milk quota system and see it as an opportunity for the Union. He has been involved in the establishment of the European Investment Bank. He also had a role in the work on the Youth Guarantee and the provision of social enterprise funds.

At national level, we have not been sitting on our hands. As the Commissioner is well aware, much progress has been made in recent years by the current Government on rural development, particularly recently by the Minister of State, Deputy Ann Phelan, who is from the Commissioner's county. Additional access to new markets has been gained in terms of meat production. I refer in particular to Lebanon, Vietnam and the Philippines. Supports for businesses in the food industry have been developed. We had a role in the ending of the milk quota and have played a big part in the new organic farm scheme.

I wish to devote my last two minutes to an issue of particular interest to me and, I am sure, the Commissioner because he is a Kilkenny man. I refer to the sugar beet industry. In 2011, for which year I have figures, 5 million ha of beet was grown globally. This culminated in the production of 273 million tonnes. Some 60 million tonnes of this total was turned into sugar. Across the world, 80% of sugar is derived from sugarcane and 20% from beet. It is in the latter area that I have a particular interest. As a young boy growing up in Carrick-on-Suir, I saw the sugar beet train heading to Thurles daily. In fact, it sustained the rail industry across rural areas in the months when there was no tourism.

In its wisdom, the previous Administration decided to sell off the industry to Greencore, which closed the last plant, in Mallow, in 2006. Previously, the plants in Thurles, Carlow and Tuam were closed. This saw the end of a magnificent era in Irish agribusiness and agriculture. My father-in-law, who was a farmer, often told me the most profitable crop was beet. I ask the Commissioner to assist in re-establishing the market and product in Ireland. We are currently importing an unbelievable amount of sugar. Every bit of sugar in the country still has the Siúcra name but the brand is now in Germany. As far as I am concerned, Siúcra is being put on a brand that belongs to the Irish people. I ask for the assistance of the Commissioner. Some work has been done, particularly in the Carlow area, to set up a new company. Some seed capital has been raised but a lot of work has yet to be done. It would be fantastic if Mr. Hogan could see the company established in his time as Commissioner. I thank him for attending today.

Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent)
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I welcome the Commissioner and congratulate him. I thank him so much for attending today. We will see him later this afternoon at the meeting of the agriculture committee. I do not have a speech prepared but have a few thoughts and questions I want to share with the Commissioner. The upcoming TTIP trade agreement with the United States is in its early stages, but it looks to be completed by the end of the year. We had a good session earlier with the Minister, Deputy Bruton, but I would like to hear from the Commissioner - from the horse's mouth, as it were. The agreement provides a few worries for Ireland and the EU, but it also provides huge opportunities.

I also want to ask the Commissioner about GMOs and what is happening in his office about them. If that agreement goes forward and food is imported into Ireland from the United States, it should be noted that 80% of American foodstuffs contain GMOs. Do we want our youth and other citizens eating GMOs?

David Norris (Independent)
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No.

Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent)
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No, for certain, we do not. I am absolutely against GMOs. Standards are very different in the US compared to here, so it is important that we should protect our standards here. I would be interested to hear the Commissioner's opinions and work on this matter. Does the Commissioner have a timeline in mind as to when that agreement will be finalised?

Fluoride is one of my favourite subjects and I will never exhaust it. Ireland is the only country in Europe that allows fluoride in the public water supply. As far as I am aware, no study has ever been done on the effects of fluoride on our aquaculture, agriculture or eco-system. It is in our water and is going into our systems and farmlands. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, is doing a wonderful job. The Commissioner knows the economic effects of the great work he has done in agriculture, including the beef sector and the lifting of milk quotas. Would it not be awful if I was right about fluoride having a detrimental effect on our added-value products?

I welcome the simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy and all the work the Commissioner has brought forward. I have sat in on all the meetings of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Hopefully the Commissioner will be home for a few days and as he drives around Ireland he will see grants coming in for young farmers and there is a lot happening with sucklers, beef and mixed quotas. The reality, however, is that if one drives around the country it can be a depressing and sometimes frightening experience because small towns are dying.

We talk a lot here about the lack of rural development, which is the reality. I am glad Commissioner Hogan is in the driving seat. I know he is handling the agriculture portfolio for the whole of Europe but he should not forget about rural Ireland for one moment because we need a lot of help, direction and focus to get us there. Most Senators drive all over the country every week and they know that it is not a pretty picture on the ground. People are hurting greatly.

David Norris (Independent)
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With the permission of the House, I would like to share time with Senator Barrett.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.

David Norris (Independent)
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The Commissioner is very welcome. He and I were both elected to this House in 1987. I am glad that we have a tough Commissioner in Europe and he is that tough person. I have to say, however, it is fairly typical that the scripts were supplied to civil servants and the media, but not to Members of the House. That is indicative of an attitude in Europe.

Can the Commissioner explain the policy of the EU, and many of the constituent governments, in rescuing and protecting the financial institutions, while ignoring the welfare of citizens? This is endemic throughout Europe and I think it is an absolute disgrace. For example, Ireland was forbidden to burn the bondholders, while Cyprus was forced to do so. Ireland was compelled to take up the gambling debts of the French and German banks, which took a risk on the building boom here, yet they go around telling people that they rescued us. It is completely the other way around.

What about the ratings agencies, such as Standard & Poor's? They got absolutely everything wrong and were involved in the bungling in America that catapulted us into this financial mess. What has happened to restrain them? Goldman Sachs was criminally implicated in cooking the books for Greece, but what has happened to it? Has anything been done by Europe to restrain these institutions? Can the Commissioner explain the shameful treatment of Greece and the non-disclosure of the various proposals to the Ministers who are supposed to discuss and decide upon them? It is nonsense. It is a democratic farce. We are told that the Greeks did nothing. An article by Mr. Yanis Varoufakis in The Irish Timesstated "wages contracted by 37 per cent, pensions by up to 48 per cent, state employment by 30 per cent, consumer spending by 33 per cent and even the current account deficit by 16 per cent". Total income fell by 27%. One cannot squeeze blood out of a stone. What is happening to Greece is a reproach to democracy and a disgrace to this country. This country stuck the knife into Greece as hard as any other European country and I think it is utterly regrettable.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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We did not.

David Norris (Independent)
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You did.

Sean Barrett (Independent)
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I welcome the Commissioner. We had many great debates here when he was Minister and I wish him well in his role in agriculture. Taking up Senator Norris's point, there have been design faults in the way the euro ran and faults on both sides. It is a pity that there was not better co-ordination between the launch of the single currency in 1999 and the problems of 2008. We still need to get our act together in running the single currency. Like Senator Norris, I do not blame the Greeks. There were design faults in the euro. It should not be a lobster pot that is far easier to get into than out of. It is easier to leave the EU altogether than it is to leave the single currency. There is not enough fiscal federalism there. How is Greece supposed to operate a fixed exchange rate with Germany? It cannot improve its productivity and competitiveness in the fixed exchange rate regime. I hope to see a more analytical attitude and less patronising of Greece by the people in Frankfurt and Brussels who made a lot of mistakes in the design of the single currency.

I welcome the reports on Saturday that the competition policy people in Brussels are to look very closely at the British Airways takeover of Aer Lingus. It may take longer than the normal 90 days. This was a disgraceful, anti-competitive exercise - a profitable, cash-rich airline being taken over a competitor with the object of reducing competition. The euphemism used is "consolidation". The Commissioner knows, Ireland knows and former Commissioner Sutherland knew that the more airlines we have, the better. The intervention by the British competition authorities in respect of the Ryanair shareholding in Aer Lingus was an outrage and should be opposed by everybody who is elected to the Irish Parliament. I hope that in respect of the anti-competitive elements, such as the Heathrow slots being allocated to one company overwhelmingly, British Airways having acquired Aer Lingus, it cannot have a monopoly on the routes to Ireland. There must be competition on the north Atlantic routes, which we developed from Dublin Airport. People from Manchester are flying to Dublin with Aer Lingus. Now that Aer Lingus is part of British Airways-IAG, that competitive threat is removed. The consumer was completely neglected. There is a one-page document on the library of these Houses on the policy regarding that takeover. It was anti-competitive and competitive access should be desired.

People in Ireland have to be somewhat cautious in respect of the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU. The Commissioner is cautious in his speech. It is felt very strongly in the UK that too much sovereignty has been transferred to Brussels and is not always exercised in the British parliamentary tradition. I fear that too much interference by Irish people in the UK referendum could push it to a vote to leave. They are not likely to take advice from outside. It would be a tragedy if they left because as is the case with the single currency, the Franco-German alliance that runs the single currency would make the EU less democratic. The British parliamentary tradition is the greatest asset it brings to Europe and I hope it stays for that reason. Patronising the English in particular with our advice on how they should vote in a sovereign decision for their people could be counterproductive.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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Cuirim céad fáilt roimh an gCoimisinéir. Ní fear é a raibh faitíos ná drogall ariamh air teacht ar ais go dtí an Seanad. Tá fáilte roimhe. I welcome the Commissioner and I am glad he is here with us today. I am very interested in what he has to say about his new position and its relevance to Ireland. I congratulate him on his new position and wish him well. We hope the Commissioner will be able to help the many Irish farmers who are struggling to maintain their farms and livelihoods in difficult circumstances. There is a prevailing wisdom, mainly outside the agricultural sector, which suggests that Irish farmers have done well out of the EU, but sometimes it is difficult not to look at what we have also lost due to EU regulation and control. It has not necessarily benefited Irish farming, either in its economic status or through the changes it has wrought in the social fabric of this country.

Every month seems to bring another major issue to the fore in Irish agriculture. The abolition of the milk quotas came about in May. There has been major investment by processors and producers in anticipation of new markets and the end of restrictions on production. Many farmers are already in trouble with the banks as milk prices fall and the effects of the imposition of the superlevy.

We are hoping the Commissioner could try to influence in favour of an arrangement whereby Irish farmers who are in the process of preparing for the end of milk quotas and enlarging their herds are not driven under by a combination of the lack of payment being received in May due to the superlevy being deducted and a drop in prices. A phased payment of the superlevy is one suggestion we are putting forward.

There is also an issue for farmers about land eligibility and the number of farmers who claimed payments in good faith based on the criteria for eligible land. New rules and technology mean that they are being obliged to pay back claims from as far back as 2009. We are calling for an amnesty for these farmers, who claimed in good faith and in circumstances of falling farm incomes, particularly among smaller farmers. They should not have to take another hit.

The Commissioner cannot be unaware of the disquiet among suckler farmers about the beef data genomics scheme. The scheme has such harsh and prolonged terms and conditions that the number of applications to participate fell below targets and some of those who have applied are already considering withdrawing. It is another scheme sanctioned by the European Union and implemented by the Department which seems to be ill-thought out, even if the overall objective of improving the quality of the national herd is laudable. There is such disquiet about it among farmers that it may not achieve its target. I saw the indications in Claremorris at a meeting of 1,400 farmers where these issues were aired.

Another area where the Commissioner could also be influential and beneficial to Ireland relates to the promotion of an all-Ireland food label. It seems ridiculous that on this small island a distinction must be made, due to EU regulations on country-of-origin labelling, on products whose origins are both sides of the Border. This could mean a lamb born in Jonesborough and slaughtered in Carlingford would now be regarded as a product of two member states. Farmers North and South know there is no point in competing against each other on the international market when there is scope for everyone to use our reputation for good clean Irish food, with no distinction being made according to which side of the Border it originates. I appeal to the Commissioner to look favourably on this issue if it crosses his desk, and, even if it does not, to use his influence to bring about an all-Ireland label. It can only benefit farmers on both sides of the Border.

Before I finish, I must mention the hen harrier. The scheme to compensate farmers whose land had a certain designation has been discontinued. There are more than 4,000 of them. These farmers are still waiting on some compensation for not being able to farm their land in the circumstances. It goes without saying that an injustice is being done to them and this should be rectified.

I share the concerns raised around the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and the impacts on Irish agriculture, particularly the beef and white meat sectors. The lack of transparency is also an issue. I wish to restate our opposition to the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism, which raises issues around fracking on this island. I hope the Commissioner will use his offices to try to ensure that never happens on the island of Ireland.

I cannot finish without saying that I am very concerned about the changes that have taken place in the Leader and rural development areas. Unfortunately, the Commissioner had a hand in this himself when he was a Minister. We are going to have long-standing repercussions in these areas and as a result of the dismantling of the community development sector as well. I wish the Commissioner well. Táim buíoch dó as teacht isteach inniu. Go raibh maith aige.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

I thank Senators for their contributions and good wishes. I thank the Leader of the House, Senator Cummins. A number of Senators, including Senators Comiskey and Ó Clochartaigh, mentioned the beef genomics scheme. The beef genomics scheme is an agri-environment measure. Under every agri-environment measure the term is five to seven years. This is the legal requirement under EU regulations and law. If a member state puts forward a proposal as an agri-environment measure, a farmer is obliged to comply with the rules and regulations surrounding an agri-environment measure, that is to say, five to seven years. That has been in place for the REPS and AEOS arrangements and so on. It should be no surprise to people. The farm organisations should tell their farmers that this is the position and that it is an agri-environment scheme. The six-year issue comes into play on the basis that it has to be designated as an agri-environment scheme and this means farmers have to stay in the scheme for between five and seven years. There is no way around that under EU legislation.

I agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien that the family farm model is the one we wish to support and sustain in the European Union. We will not promote the industrialisation of European agriculture. When American families talk about the family farm, they are talking about 2,500 ha. They have no notion of what the European family farm model is in the way we know it. In effect, we are on a different ranch in practice in terms of the definition of "family farm".

I fully agree with Senator O'Brien's point on the unfair trading practices that are a potential source of irritation to the producers, in particular in view of the fact that there has been a considerable decline in the share of both the output and the margin of profitability to the producer vis-à-visother actors in the food chain in recent years. If one does not have a producer, one will not have a product, and if one does not have a product, one cannot have the employment opportunities upstream or downstream of it, whether it is chocolate in conjunction with the dairy sector or the beef processing sector. At all times it is important we ensure the necessary product is being produced in line with the traceability and food quality regimes we have put in place for producers.

There are opportunities for specialisation in the European agricultural scene. Irish agriculture has great advantages and opportunities in terms of where small farmers in particular can be supported in horticulture or specialising in plant breeding or young trees, for example, which have significant potential for export, as is the case in the Netherlands. We have models of best practice that could be utilised for smaller producers in this country that are already in place in other member states of the European Union and being supported by their national and European programmes.

The free trade agreements we are exploring at the moment are hugely important. We must find other markets to replace the market potential we had with the Russian Federation. We have been quite successful in getting some support for products such as pigmeat in the Philippines, and some additional support for our beef and dairy products in the Far East. A very important part of my work is to go to the marketplace to develop linkages for European farmers in terms of marketing our product. Expanding to more specialised markets is the only way we can deal with the increased level of milk production we will have in the future and the opportunities for jobs in that regard. We have an opportunity to increase exports due to the increasing level of demand, in particular in the Far East, where 150 million people per annum will go into a higher level of income bracket and therefore will have the disposable income to buy some of those products.

Senator Landy should know he does not need to tell a Kilkenny man about heritage and hurling. We appreciate that to a considerable extent and I am pleased to be able to acknowledge and support it in every possible way. The European Investment Bank, EIB, loans provide an opportunity to advance some of the investment that is required in so many areas of agriculture. We launched a European programme today in the National Convention Centre in Dublin with the input of the European Investment Bank. Once the Government modifies its rural development programme it will be able to provide low-interest loans over a longer period which will help to establish more of a fixed cost in terms of the cost of money for investments it makes in capital or otherwise. That is a very exciting opportunity for agribusiness and Leader companies if they wish to participate. Low-interest loans over a longer period are more beneficial than grants. We must remove ourselves from the grant mentality, as it is not the be-all and end-all but rather one option that is available.

I agree with Senator Landy’s assessment of the beet industry. It was a very profitable crop and it is most regrettable that the beet industry was allowed to decline with the consequent direct and indirect employment opportunities lost to rural Ireland. It will be difficult to restore the beet industry. We will no longer have sugar beet quotas after 2017 and when the assessments were carried out on the redevelopment of the industry in Carlow and Kildare, it was done on the basis that €40 a tonne could be paid to farmers for growing sugar beet with €700 a tonne for sugar on the marketplace. That market has now reduced to €420 a tonne. The viability of the project is very important from the point of view of private investors and farmers and they must assess the figures in terms of viability in a very hard-headed way. I am not in a position to fully understand what the private sector is going to do in this regard but I am aware of some interest in the project in Carlow-Kildare. However, the figures may not add up at the moment and we have to face that fact if we want to restore the industry.

I assure Senator O'Brien that EU quality standards on food will be maintained in any international agreement, whether with the United States or anybody else. Farmers and producers in Ireland and in Europe have gone through the pain barrier in respect of the traceability they are now obliged to have from farm to fork and we will not sacrifice that to get any old deal. I have been in the United States on two occasions and have been involved in the negotiations on the agricultural side. I am not optimistic about an agreement between now and the end of this year. Elections will take over in the United States and positions will harden but that does not mean Europe has to capitulate to do a deal. I expect we will have a difficult time trying to achieve a comprehensive agreement in that timeline. The talks cover all sectors including industrial goods, services procurement and many areas on which the authorities in the United States have refused to move in the past couple of months, despite the best efforts of the European Union trade negotiator, Commissioner Malmström.

The President of the European Commission, Mr. Juncker, stated quite explicitly that societal concerns, as well as science concerns, were applicable to the GMO regime. He is of a strong view on this and that is why the proposal generated in recent times threw the issue back to member states. If they want to have technology in the form of GM then they must opt in or opt out of a particular proposal, rather than hiding behind the Commission. It should be science based and that has been the case with the importing of soya bean from the United States for our animal feed sector. Some applications are rejected, more are approved and, recently, there have been 19 authorisations from the United States. They had been in train for a number of years but decisions have now been made and we can move forward to provide vital raw material for the animal feed sector in the European Union, otherwise we will not have a competitive sector. We cannot have it every way. We eat food which results from imported soya bean that may be GM-produced but we do not want to grow it ourselves so there is a bit of a problem. Over the years we have generated that problem for ourselves by not being straight and having one policy or another. I hope we will be able to come to a more satisfactory outcome with our legislators between now and the end of the year. The committees on environment and agriculture are discussing this in the European Parliament in the next month.

Simplification of the CAP is very important to me but when 8,000 amendments are put down by the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in the European Parliament, as happened on the last occasion, it is very hard to be simple with this matter. I have now been tasked with unravelling some of the detail and complexity in the decisions of 2013. As a politician, I understand how these things happen but this has had an impact on the farmer, on food companies and on the member states who want to deliver it without the necessary bureaucracy and administrative burden that goes along with it.

I am anxious to make progress on it this year and to finetune some of the policies to bring coherence to the issue. We can then look at changing the legislation in the next two years to remove some of the administrative burden while at the same time protecting European taxpayers, who put in €56 million a year to provide support for policies that result in the good quality food on our tables which we often take for granted. We have to strike a balance and the simplification of our policy will hopefully achieve that. Ultimately we will then be able to streamline some of the systems.

I also draw Senators' attention to the rural investment we have announced today in the form of loans from the European Investment Bank. This gives the opportunity for young farmers starting off, for food companies that want to expand, for the dairy processing sector that wants to expand, post-milk quota, for forestry and green infrastructure and for storage facilities. These can now be funded through the rural development programme and EIB loans. If we can offer long-term loans at low interests, it is a positive day for rural Ireland.

I agree with Senator Norris that we ignored the welfare of citizens. The fiscal and economic adjustments that had to be made were very painful for Irish and European citizens, but we often ignored the welfare of citizens and of society. That is why the Commission has in recent weeks been discussing social policy objectives for the European Union. We should not be solely concerned with fiscal adjustment and economic policies. Our policies should also reflect social concerns, whether in respect of labour market mobility or high levels of unemployment, particularly among young people. In Spain, for example, 23% of the unemployed are young people. We are conscious of our social obligations under the Union and its treaties.

David Norris (Independent)
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Perhaps the Commissioner would take that back to his colleagues.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

I can only speak for myself today. I do not agree with the Senator about fiscal and economic policies. The statistics are positive in regard to Ireland. We have the highest level of growth in the European Union.

David Norris (Independent)
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We have the highest debts.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

We reduced the unemployment rate from 15.5% to 9.5%. The economic indicators seem to be heading in the right direction. We have broadened the tax base to reduce the tax on work. The figures speak for themselves. I will not respond to the Senator's comments on Goldman Sachs. I do not get involved in the sort of highbrow finance in which he obviously has a deep interest.

David Norris (Independent)
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He should get involved at European level.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

Junior bondholders were burned, but not senior bondholders. When we borrow money from people, we are expected to pay it back because otherwise we might not be able to borrow again.

David Norris (Independent)
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They took a punt.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

Junior bondholders have been burnt.

David Norris (Independent)
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They gambled and they should get a smack.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

In regard to Greece, there was a huge disconnect between the Greek Prime Minister and the Greek Government in respect of what is required to be fulfilled as part of that country's obligations to the treaties of the European Union and the moneys it borrowed from the various institutions. As in Ireland, citizens have obligations to discharge that responsibility. When one borrows money, one must pay it back. Ireland, Portugal and Spain have been doing that. One does not expect the Greek Government and people will take a different view. The Greek Government has not always conveyed to its people the type of flexibility that the European Commission was showing in recent months to the Greek people. It has not always been honest with the Greek people.

David Norris (Independent)
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Europe has not been honest with Greece.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

Greece has no administration, effectively. As Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, I want to implement programmes for the benefit-----

David Norris (Independent)
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Did the Commissioner just say that Greece has no administration?

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Norris, please.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

I was about to tell the Senator that it effectively has no administration in agriculture.

David Norris (Independent)
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I see; in agriculture.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

When I am trying to give money and support to rural development programmes in Greece, I cannot get satisfaction from the Greek authorities or even get replies to letters sent since last Christmas. There is more to this matter than what meets the eye or appears in the newspapers.

Senator Barrett referred to Aer Lingus. I will not get involved in any negotiations Irish authorities might be holding with the European Commission, especially in regard to competition matters. I am sure they are able to look after themselves without the help of anyone involved in agriculture and food.

I have a view on the Brexit, however. I hope the European Union will benefit from the continued membership of the United Kingdom. I had the privilege of addressing the National Farmers Union in the UK recently. Following a good debate on the pros and cons of membership, farmers in the union voted to pass a resolution on campaigning to stay in the EU. The rural community in the UK is positively disposed towards the benefits of membership. I do not think there is a desire among the community to open negotiations on a free trade agreement between the EU and the UK when there is already access to a population of 500 million and an internal market that works fairly well. However, I believe the UK is on to something with its argument that we need to change the way we operate to better reflect the role of national parliaments and subsidiarity in the implementation of policies.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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The Commissioner is taking on Sinn Féin policy.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

I am sure Sinn Féin made a major contribution to it.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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Absolutely.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

However, I made the decision. Regarding beef genomics, one is either for or against the climate change and environment measures. If one opts for a climate change measure, one must implement it according to the rules, and that is what the beef genomics scheme is doing. Today, I spoke to the Sinn Féin party leader and spokesperson on agriculture about an all-island approach on food labelling and I asked him to enlist the support of the North-South Ministerial Council. Compensation for the hen harrier is a matter for the Irish authorities.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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On behalf of the Seanad, I thank Commissioner Hogan for his address and very constructive engagement and plain talk in the House. It is very important the level of interaction between national parliaments and the EU institutions continues and deepens. Our committees have become progressively more engaged with EU legislation and do very useful work in this respect. Lisbon treaty arrangements providing for greater interaction between national parliaments and the European Parliament are also bedding down very well. That said, high profile encounters such as today’s address, give a more public expression to the commitment on the part of Commissioner Hogan and President Jean-Claude Juncker to deepening the dialogue. As chairman of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, I thank the Commissioner for his kind comments on the committee’s report on farm safety, which we published recently following a very good interaction with a wide range of farming related organisations.

I suggest the Commissioner throw a glance at the plight of the Irish greyhound industry. I am sure he will remember a special sporting event during which an affable Kerryman and friend of both of us said we had to be careful when the bunny was running and place our bets. The bunny could be trapped regarding the Irish greyhound industry. As a nominee to the Seanad of the Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation, it would be remiss of me not to mention that important moment.

Mr. Phil Hogan:

We will let the hare sit.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I wish the Commissioner well in making continued progress with his work programme. We do not underestimate the challenges that face him, but know he will rise to them. We assure him of the goodwill of the House. I have every confidence that when the Commissioner is in Europe, he will wear the green jersey, in so far as he can, for the Irish people and farming industry. As Leas-Chathaoirleach, I am grateful for the Commissioner's presence. I thank him for honouring the House and all of us by coming here. It enhances the status of Seanad Éireann, protected by the people recently, and the entire Parliament.