Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

How is it going so far compared with last year? Unless additional lairage capacity is sourced in the very short term, what numbers are likely to be exported over the coming months? How many operate in the space in which Mr. Scallan operates? How many people are in the business of exporting calves?

Mr. Doyle and ICOS do a lot of important work in this area. There are issues around mart rules and the gathering of cattle for live exports, with some of them sourced on farms. How relevant are the four-movement rule and the 30 day rule for live exports? Are there outstanding issues relating to the conditions attaching to export licences for various countries? Are they unnecessarily cumbersome or more onerous for us than for other live-exporting countries? Are there opportunities to develop further live export routes and markets? Are there any where we could make progress with a different policy impetus or more attention at national level?

Mr. Scallan spoke about the domestic situation with bad weather. What do we need to do to provide capacity when weather causes disruption? Are there alternative ports to Cherbourg? I am aware that timelines are tight in the context of the legislation.