Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I go back to our guests, from a research point of view, representatives of Teagasc will be before the committee on 6 March to discuss this topic. That may or may not help the discussion.

Mr. Carroll referred to the fact that the committee had visited a processing plant before Christmas. It was a very useful exercise. I also had the opportunity to visit a trial farm in my part of the country which I found very useful. Perhaps we might be able to receive some more information on it? Perhaps the delegates might know about it.

Deputy Jackie Cahill made a point about increasing numbers in the dairy sector and how we could take advantage to alleviate the difficulties coming down the line. I refer to extra numbers, moving out stock quicker and producing an animal that is easy to calve, yet fleshy from the processing point of view. How can that be done genetically and what are the technologies involved? Teagasc is involved, as is the Irish Cattle Breeders Federation. That is the way to go and it could be very useful. Perhaps that issue might be teased out also.

We will start with the Grain Growers Group.