I want to thank the Senators for their contributions on this Bill. I do not propose to spend too much time on a speech at the end of Second Stage but there are a number of factors I would like to place on record. Like all Senators in their contributions I would go to great lengths to pay a very sincere tribute to the outgoing members of An Chomhairle Olla. I think it is only fair that we should roll back the record and the history that was involved and the environment in which this board was formulated some years ago. At that time, our sheep industry, particularly our wool industry, was absolutely in a shambles. That was the time when Irish wool had a bad name all over the world — it had a bad name in Ireland for that matter. We were producing an inferior quality product that nobody wanted and it was displayed in the worst conditions. For that reason all the interests involved then were brought together, primarily for an education process.
I would agree with all Senators that the role of the Wool Council at that stage has been fulfilled. Now, the basics involved in the promotion of wool, market intelligence, etc., are on a par with anything I have seen in any country in Europe. That is not that the learning process should not continue. Through a job I had ten years ago with Macra na Feirme I had the pleasure or organising two or three all-Ireland sheep-shearing finals.
In so far as the Wool Council were concerned there was a huge educational job to be done. I am of the opinion that there is not a sheep farmer in Ireland who does not understand the problems that will beset him if he decides to present wool of inferior quality for sale. It will hit him in the pocket, which is something that appeals to all people irrespective of what line of business, agricultural or industrial, he is in. There is a premium for good wool, and it is against that background that the Wool Council have been fulfilling the functions for which they were established. Certain important functions which were performed by the Wool Council should be continued. I will outline them briefly. One of the most important things in the entire wool business over the years — it always reminds me of the stock exchange — is that the world market for wool always has been a most remarkable place to trade, with ups and downs and for no apparent reason most of the time.
Until the market intelligence reports of the Wool Council came into operation the problem was that many things could have happened in Bradford and, indeed, in other centres in England and all over Europe and if, for instance, there was a good steady trade at an upward level of prices, that information did not percolate back to the Irish sheep farmer until it was too late. On many occasions down through the years farmers sold wool under its true value. Because of market intelligence we have now adopted and which was pursued by the Wool Council through news bulletins and newspaper reports what happens in the great sale in Bradford today will be transmitted through the airwaves in Ireland that evening. That is a very important service and I propose to continue it. Yesterday and last week it was transmitted on the airwaves that the wool trade in Bradford was on a rising trend. That manifested itself at many of the wool buyers' premises in Ireland 12 hours later and the price of wool jumped by 2p per lb.
As far as the question of wool handling facilities around the country is concerned it is not enough to say, nor is it true to say, that now it is a one man band. The one man in question is an expert on all matters relating to wool, but when you consider that there are many agricultural officers around the country who carry out inspections of wool buyers' premises it can be seen that there are many people involved in the whole area of the wool industry. From an education point of view, new courses are being organised in the sheep areas by ACOT. I had the pleasure a couple of months ago of presenting certificates at Maam Cross to people who had completed a 60-hour course on sheep husbandry. This course obviously incorporated matters relating to wool. This type of activity is an extension to the work done by the Wool Council. In that sense the great work carried out by the Wool Council has been completed in that sense.
There are many other aspects of their work that should be continued. I agree with what Senator Dooge said and I guarantee to the House that if we find for one reason or another that the best interests of wool producers are not being met, I will seriously look at the situation that may develop to see what would be best in those circumstances.
Finally, I would like to place on the record of the House that the sheep industry is on very firm footing. We have access to the lucrative French market. We must ensure, of course, at all times that we have the type of quality the market requires. With a 6 per cent increase in sheep numbers this year we will have more wool to sell in the future. I am told by my advisers that the increase we now see in the national flock will continue. In the future wool will be of more significance and importance to the incomes of many small farmers around the country. It is against that background that I believe the Bill before us will not mean in any way that any sheep farmer will be worse off. Because of what has happened in the last 12 months the sheep trade is in good condition. I will give the House the undertaking that in the years to come, if for any reason we find that the best interests of the wool producers are not being served, I will look at it.
