Mr. Paul Smyth:

I will briefly set out the ICMSA's views on the closure of TLT. We have received a considerable number of complaints in recent weeks regarding the closure of TLT. It is the view of the ICMSA that the farmers concerned should be preferential creditors when it comes to the company's assets. As we have heard, there is a limited amount of fixed assets available for sale. It is the view of the ICMSA that farmers should receive payment upfront before entering into contracts but unfortunately that is not always the case. Goodwill has often prevailed. We heard about shipments over the weekend and we hope that retention of title is made to the farmers who produced the animals concerned.

Ireland is an export economy. If we are to meet the Food Harvest 2020 goal of increasing dairy output by 50%, there will be many more instances of farmers trying to export animals in future. As export companies represent competition for Irish marts and factories, it is essential that the Government provides some form of credit insurance. The Government received a report on this subject from KPMG several years ago and we would like to see an export insurance scheme not only for the farming industry but also for exporters if we are to be serious about developing our agriculture and other industries.