Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Would Mr. Gleeson consider a review for that sector? No matter what we do, it is a dwindling sector. I understand it is only worth €500 million in the economy but it provides a significant livelihood for many farmers. We are in a position where we are importing lambs, legitimately, it appears, to slaughter in our factories. I understand the commercial reality and there are times of the year when we do not have enough stock of our own and we have to import in order to safeguard jobs. People have a difficulty with that because in their minds it is competition but the reality is that we often do not have the stock. For the survival of our own sector, I am asking Mr. Gleeson if he would consider a review. I am not asking about the outcome. I am asking him to review the exclusion of sheep farmers on the basis of the case I have put to him. We are not dependent on English markets and never have been. However, the English lamb sector interfered with the markets on which we are dependent, that is, the French and Belgian markets. Will Mr. Gleeson consider reviewing the eligibility of sheep farmers to access the BAR on that basis?