Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I accept that point. We do not import much beef from Spain. It is the other way round. Likewise, we do not export much olive oil to the Spaniards. Every country exports and we all have competitive advantages. I accept that we export a lot of meat and dairy produce. That does not seem to stymie the Spaniards in trying to set the cost of production. There is much talk about green measures. I accept that they are essential but we need to make sure that farmers are adequately protected in Ireland for producing an environmentally sustainable product and ensuring that they are not expected to sell that product below the cost of producing it. That would seem to me to be the bare minimum. I appreciate the difficulties of setting that and doing so in a way that is compatible with competition law. We are not alone in seeking to do this. Other countries are trying to grapple with this. Spain is one example. The Spanish Embassy is forthcoming with information about Spain's laws when approached and I thank it for its assistance to me when I was looking for that law. I thank the Chair and our guests for their forbearance.