The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, yesterday called for a national debate on the whole area of genetically modified foods in Ireland.
Speaking at the Agricultural Science Association conference in Waterford which heard arguments for and against the process, the Minister said consumer protection was at the heart of the issue.
Dr Patrick O'Reilly, business manager of Monsanto Ireland Ltd, had told the delegates they should not allow the alarmists and "naysayers" dictate the agenda in the debate.
"Let us take a leaf out of Germany's book. Germany started out as extremely anti-genetic engineering about five years ago.
"We had the usual publicity stunts such as that of destroying experimental field research trials," he added.
"But three years ago the German government, having realised the safety record and opportunities of this technology, made a policy decision and statement that they would be the leading biotechnology country by the year 2001," he said.
The then environment minister pledged £100 million annually to promote research and start up companies in Germany, he said.
He asked why should Ireland not build on its agriculture strength in grassland knowledge or potato breeding and become a global leader in these fields through the use of genetic engineering technology.
Mr Walsh said recent incidents involving the destruction of crop trial had not added anything at all to the GM debate which was taking place here.
Once the consumer was protected, he believed such developments should be allowed in a rational way to go ahead.
He said he did not think the opponents of GM foods in the State were being alarmist.
"In all areas of activity you do need groups that are alert to these matters to keep governments and departments and regulatory authorities on their toes.
"Sometimes they may have to go a little bit over the top to make their point, and as a member of the Government I do not mind that at all. It is vitally important that we have these organisations and associations."
Ms Sadhbh O'Neill of Genetic Concern, told the conference that demand for GM crops in the EU had collapsed and there was a rising tide of consumer rejection around the world.
A Lansdowne Market Research poll in January this year found 78 per cent of people said they knew little or nothing about the technology.
Those who said they knew most - 62 per cent - were also most concerned about food safety. Of those who knew a lot, 89 per cent were very concerned as opposed to just 8 per cent who supported the process.