Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Reference was made to the glut of cattle coming out. We need to be careful not to talk down the price of cattle. I acknowledge the figures referred to on the increased numbers of cattle at the back end of the year. We have opened the Turkish market to live export in recent days. A number of other markets are also open. The challenge now is for the industry to step in. I appreciate that there must be a margin for industrial actors and my Department will work with the industry to facilitate the export of the maximum possible number of cattle because we need that safety valve to ensure the maximum return for beef producers.

A lot of issues have been raised.