Jimmy Deenihan
Question:8 Mr. Deenihan asked the Taoiseach if he proposes to set up a special Dáil committee on agriculture and food.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dáil Committee on Agriculture and Food.
There are no proposals to appoint a special committee of this nature.
In view of the pivotal role agriculture and food play in the economy, surely there should be an Oireachtas joint committee to consider the various happenings in this sector at the moment. Matters catered for by the Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities are not appropriate to many of the relevant issues that are ongoing and many of the problems Irish farmers are facing at present. I am sure the Taoiseach will agree that a large number of issues relating to Irish farmers cannot be debated in this House because of our large legislative programme.
I think agricultural policy is adequately catered for under the existing arrangements. I do not believe a special committee of this type would be any great addition or benefit. The Deputy should understand that we cannot have committees for everything, we cannot have a special Oireachtas committee for everything.
Question No. 9.
May I ask a question?
You must be very brief, Deputy Deenihan.
In view of two recent NESC reports, Ireland in the EC and Strategies for the Nineties, both of which state clearly that Ireland lacks a national agriculture and food policy, surely such a committee, if it were set up, could devise such a policy?
The Deputy has just made a case in point. The NESC report was fully debated in this House.
There are implications.