Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Buckley and thank him for his presentation, in the course of which he mentioned managing market volatility. Will he elaborate further on that point? Is he referring to competition from emerging developing countries or is the issue wider than this? With the milk quota system due to come to an end in 2015, is he concerned about the free market determining the level of supply?

Many of us with small or medium-sized farms have concerns about the ending of quotas and larger producers coming to the top, which could prove detrimental to smaller producers. It could have long-term effects.

It was mentioned that investment was required in research and development, marketing acquisitions, plant and personnel. Is there a linkage with the board's research and development with Government support or the support of other agencies within the wider agricultural community?

Mr. Buckley has mentioned areas into which the board is trying to break such as China, Russia and so on. China is a huge market which offers huge potential if a breakthrough can be made. Is Mr. Buckley optimistic about the possibility of expanding into these areas? An area of whcih there has been no mention is South America. Mr. Buckley might elaborate in that regard.