Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

Senator Ulick Burke has stolen my thunder because I also want to congratulate the Portumna and Salthill-Knocknacarra teams. Many people are disappointed when they do not get to see the full presentation of trophies in Croke Park on St. Patrick's Day.

I support the calls made for a debate on the sugar beet industry. Many years ago, a political decision was made to open a sugar factory in Tuam. We have never replaced the jobs provided by that factory, which employed more than 1,000 people at the height of the sugar beet industry. I hope that we can discuss the circumstances faced by workers and growers. A small number of disappointed growers remain in County Galway who entered into contracts to grow beet and now face an uncertain future. We ought to address the questions of tillage, food production and the rotation of crops. The interesting suggestions made for biofuels could also form part of a debate with the Minister for Agriculture and Food.