Ard Fheis

Cllr. Paul Hayes, Martin Doherty Sinn Fein Cumann Clonakilty, West Cork.

Published: 1 March, 2008

Speaking to motion 136.

There are several aspects to this motion and I would like to expand on a few of the points, as we move down through them.

Farmers and growers who are trying to diversify into agri-business such as producing and marketing high quality, speciality dairy, meat and organic goods for example are being hampered by the slow roll-out and low quality of broadband to rural areas. Broadband access is now as vital as running water and electricity to the survival of any enterprise, so I would urge you to support motion 138 also which calls for greater effort and investment to ensure greater broadband penetration in rural areas.

Sinn Fein opposes the importation of Brazilian beef into Ireland, given the failure of producers there to comply with the health and safety regulations expected of Irish farmers. For example, while strict mechanisms of detection and control of disease such as Foot and Mouth are in place within most EU states, that is not the case in Brazil and there are no guarantees with regard to the quality of the beef that is imported. In 2005 there were confirmed outbreaks of FMD there but imports continued regardless. This is scandalous behaviour. We continue to oppose the introduction of genetically modified crops and we support the designation of the entire island of Ireland as GM crop-free.

I also want to ask delegates to support Motion 136.

Being from West Cork, I'm well aware of the current state of the fishing industry. From Castletownbere to Kinsale, communities have been decimated in recent years by bad legislation from Europe and our own Government, and the scandalous illegal fishing of non-Irish vessels in our waters. Estimates of at least 9,000 tonnes of fish are being illegally caught in our waters annually. That amounts to a value of €45million. This motion seeks to redress the balance and calls for a complete renegotiation of the Common Fisheries Policy to allow for a drastic reduction in the amount of fish taken by foreign vessels from Irish waters.

A Chomraidaithe, please support this motion.

Go Raibh Maith Agaibh.