First, I wish to thank the Chair for affording me the opportunity of raising this important issue on the Adjournment. I hope the Minister will clarify the position regarding the future of the Kinsealy research centre and adjoining lands. I believe the decision has been taken by the board of Teagasc to dispose of land at Kinsealy. The bottom line in any future transaction in respect of such land must be the common good.
I am aware that certain proposals which are at a very advanced stage do not meet the necessary criteria. Any proposals that emerge must be critically examined, particularly in light of the future value of the land at this location. I am unhappy that the staff were not made aware of these developments at Teagasc. Some of them learned of it in Farm News of 11 November.
The closure of the Kinsealy research centre would be a disaster for the horticulture industry, particularly in north County Dublin. This centre was set up in 1959 and located at Kinsealy because of its close proximity to the heartland of horticulture production in north County Dublin, north Kildare, Meath and Louth. Today these areas account for 33 per cent of the national fruit and vegetable production. This centre has been very effective in providing specialised back-up to the advisers to the horticulture industry.
Growers' representatives recently confirmed to the Teagasc authorities that they favour the retention of the research facilities at Kinsealy. Kinsealy is considered by Irish mushroom growers to be the ideal location for mushroom research and training. Bord Glas have recommended that the Kinsealy research centre be developed as the national mushroom centre with responsibility for research and advice. Can we disregard this advice from those groups?
The phasing out or relocation of the centre will immediately put at risk up to 63 research, technical and other staff positions. In addition, the livelihood of hundreds of workers and their families, involved in growing mushrooms, vegetables, nursery stock, greenhouse crops, soft fruit and amenity horticulture will be gradually affected and jobs will be lost. If Teagasc proceed with the proposals it will be purely for internal political reasons. The interests of the industry and the hundreds of small growers in north County Dublin and adjoining counties must be the only consideration. The best interests of the industry lie in the retention of the Kinsealy research centre. This is the opinion of those who work in the industry and in the research centre.
The closure of this centre would mean that the expert team which has been built up over the years will be laid off and service to horticulture will deteriorate. Horticulture specialists will be retired — indeed we need more such people — or moved to peripheral locations. In the long run the moving of staff and replacement of facilities will be very expensive and will not be in the interests of the industry. This move would be inconsistent with stated Government policy and would be a bad deal for the country.
Fianna Fáil have consistently, particularly prior to elections, placed much emphasis on horticulture, but this has proved to be lip service. Decision time is now at hand. The growers in north County Dublin and adjoining counties await the Minister's response and I hope it will be positive.
