Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for their continued efforts and the presentation they have made to the joint committee. I appreciate that it was only possible for them to provide a condensed amount of information on the activities in which Bord Bia was involved.

In the context of the sustainability charter, are our guests satisfied that the targets they have set are appropriate? Do they expect these targets to change in the coming years? What do they expect of food producers and companies which have yet to sign up to the charter? I accept that everyone cannot sign up from day one, but what is our guests' prediction in respect of those to whom I refer?

Like Senator Paschal Mooney, I am curious about Bord Bia's role in the case of small artisan producers. While I accept that such producers will never be major exporters, they are very important to local communities in terms of the employment they create. In some instances, they also provide encouragement for farmers in terms of diversification. What is Mr. Cotter's view?