Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Cotter and Mr. Brennan and thank them for their thorough presentation. As Mr. Cotter's term as chief executive of Bord Bia will conclude in the near future, I take this opportunity to acknowledge the significant contribution he has made to the food industry.

Mr. Cotter identified some additional resources that have been received with a focus on the London office. In terms of the current challenge and the exceptional additional challenges posed by Brexit, is that allocation sufficient to ensure that Bord Bia can work to address the issues arising in particular in relation to developing new markets and reinforcing our efforts in the UK market where we are going to come under significant pressure? If it is not sufficient, how much more is required to allow Bord Bia to meet the challenge?

In terms of the impact of the weakness of sterling on currency markets, I have seen recent figures which indicate that beef exports in the last number of months have been down compared to the same period last year. What figures does Bord Bia have on that and what feedback does it have on current export figures across the sector? On the development of new markets, what potential exists and where are the key markets? How soon can those markets be grown? When we are so dependent on the UK market, moving away from that and sourcing new markets presents a significant challenge. Can Mr. Cotter flesh out the viability of that approach and set out the efforts being made in that regard? What additional supports are needed to take on this very substantial challenge to ensure that alternative markets are available should exports to the UK decrease?