Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of that but Irish prices are at about 105% of the European average at the moment. That would suggest we are in a premium category. We export to the UK and sterling is strong at the moment, which is a good thing. We are now the only European country that can sell to the United States and to China. We may also be the only European country that can sell to Japan. As a Government we are doing everything we can to create the conditions for buoyant beef prices but I cannot micro-manage pricing at factory level. In fairness, I do not think I am being asked to do that but when there are structural issues in the market the Beef Forum is there to address them.