Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming in for what are largely very positive Estimates. I welcome the opening of GLAS ahead of time, as expected. I can see the challenges associated with that timeline, but great effort is being made to open it as soon as possible.

From the point of view of the beef sector, that is great news about China. I congratulate the Minister and his officials on that and thank them for the significant work that went on behind the scenes. Given the 126% increase in money for beef through the data and genomics scheme, it might be an opportune time for the Minister to give us his view on the current position of the beef sector. This is a major shot in the arm for it, but in light of the increase to this scheme and the difficult year the industry had last year, it would be interesting to hear his view on that. Knowledge transfer is also referenced in the Minister's address. I hope the maximum amount of that money goes to the primary producer and the farmer and that we keep the costs of facilitation to a minimum, particularly in light of the increase that is coming to Teagasc.

An increase of €14 million for the bloodstock industry is welcomed. It is necessary on the basis of some of the cuts made five or six years ago. A huge effort has been made to protect our industry and as soon as money is available it will be very much welcomed for that industry, which employs 14,000 people but has the potential to employ over 20,000, as it did in the past. I know it is intended for HRI, but the Minister might outline how he envisages that extra money being spent. Does he see capital projects as part of that expenditure? The increase in money allocated to horse welfare is also to be welcomed, but the Minister might also outline how he sees that extra money being spent.