During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: I understand from newspaper reports today that the Taoiseach intends to announce an innovation task force report. Even though he will announce it today, Members have some idea as to its contents. It appears that the word “innovation” is extremely important...

Throughout the country innovative things are happening. For example, I think of the Cork-Swansea car ferry, in respect of which, instead of asking the Government to do something, people are getting up and doing it themselves. I am highly impressed by the level of innovation. However, as a state, we have not opened our minds to such measures. I refer to a particular case, namely, genetically modified foods. The European Commission has permitted the cultivation of genetically modified crops of potatoes which was not allowed heretofore and which Ireland has banned.

However, our farmers must compete with others who are employing modern methods of production. I acknowledge this is a highly emotional issue and that some are opposed in principle to genetically modified foods. However, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn is the Commissioner with responsibility for innovation in the European Union. Clearly, she must identify genetically modified foods in this context. She will also need to consider nuclear energy, an area to which Senator Dearey referred. We have closed our minds to both topics, but they should be debated.