Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for having to leave the meeting but I was listening in and I have read the presentations. I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. A number of producers and people in the market have taken significant steps to provide an alternative. They have invested heavily in doing this. It could be said, perhaps, that the witnesses should have taken all reasonable steps to do this also. I understand what they are saying about it perhaps not being possible. Surely these companies will be at a huge financial disadvantage if the ban is pushed out. Several of them would say they are ready and able to supply the market from April onwards.