Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We would be told that Bord Bia is supposed to be doing the marketing.

Representatives of Enterprise Ireland were in here before the delegates present, and that was on the back of having heard from the Crosse brothers from Cashel, who had the idea of a sheep milk market. Having spoken to the representatives of Enterprise Ireland today and from the bit of research I have done, I believe there is great potential in this area. The sheep milk process, as explained to us by the Crosse brothers, is such that the ewe rears the lamb to weaning and is milked only then. There are markets abroad for cheeses and other products. Having talked to the representatives of Enterprise Ireland, I believe it was a bit like, “Live horse and get grass.” They said you would have to have ten employees and be guaranteed you could export produce worth €1 million. It was a case of “Live horse and get grass.” You would nearly want to be established. It entails a kind of co-operative. The Crosses told us when they were here that they have a market for some produce but are actually importing some sheep milk to be able to produce, hoping they will eventually be able to get suppliers here.

Does the ICSA envisage itself having a role in pulling some of its members together into a group, talking to the Crosse brothers and being the mediator that would get something together? I am speaking very hypothetically. I refer to the ICSA being a mediator to pull together a few farmers who could supply to the Crosse brothers and then, as a group, front the approach to Enterprise Ireland. We are all talking about it but, in fairness to the two lads, they are doing something about it. However, a bigger approach will be needed to get the initiative off the ground. If they got it off the ground and got the support they needed to get it up and running, it could take off and be a massive boost to the sector. It has potential in a sector that has quite rightly been described as on its knees or even lower.