Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I echo all that has been stated by my colleagues. I thank Mr. Cotter for his excellent presentation. Like Deputy Pringle, I am not from a farming background but a small, rural town that relied heavily on the surrounding farming economy. I am increasingly aware of the changes and challenges. In my home town of Drumshanbo, we have a food hub that has developed a concept that I understand is unique in Ireland. There is only one other such hub. Bord Bia has been involved. Hopefully, the initiative will lead to more jobs thanks to much of what the witnesses have outlined.

Are the continuing sanctions on Russia having an impact on food exports? Ireland has been taking a multilateral approach with its European colleagues. Bord Bia does not have a view on political matters, but must the effects that the crisis in Ukraine has been having on us be reviewed?

Regarding the growth in the global middle class by 3 billion people, while the emphasis has rightly been on China and India, it is interesting that Africa will see considerable growth during the next decade as it creates a middle class. What emphasis does Bord Bia place on that market? It is one of which I am not very aware, although a well-known Limerick man heads up one of the largest agrifood companies in Zambia, Zambeef Products. When I visited Zambia seven or eight years ago as part of a foreign affairs delegation, he spoke about how different the African food market was from the European one. Is this a challenge? Is the market different from the Chinese and Indian markets?

While 70% of our dairy exports are sold outside the eurozone, there has been a decline since 2013 in the UK market, which accounts for 30% of those exports. Regardless of the emphasis that has been placed on Asia, how are we positioning ourselves in the UK market? Is it a stable market into which we can sell more food and, in particular, dairy exports? Does Bord Bia have a plan?

It is a wonderful idea to have an Origin Green ambassador because it allows access to the main suppliers of food and drink internationally. What is the medium to long-term ambition of Bord Bia in this regard? I appreciate that it puts high-profile and well-educated graduates into these companies on a six-month placement. Mr. Cotter said the initiative would have a direct and positive impact on these companies' attitudes towards Ireland. I presume the initiative is about sales and increased exports. Is there a plan to increase exports among these companies, who presumably supply a large percentage of the world's food market? Bord Bia knows the percentage, which I presume must be very high.