Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Senator O'Keeffe raised the issue of sustainability in that the family farm model is probably the best way of ensuring sustainability. We only got the video clip prior to the meeting. It is available and I will ensure that all members have it. I regret that we did not have a chance to view it prior to the meeting.

It will be all the more interesting to hear it as well as see it. I thank Mr. Cotter and Mr. Brennan for appearing before the committee. Today we had delegations from both the Irish Dairy Board and Bord Bia. Agriculture is dependent on these two bodies to drive the sales and marketing of Irish food production capacity. Production, processing and marketing are the three keys to the industry.

Senator O'Brien gave Bord Bia a ringing endorsement of its value to her company and other similar companies, both large and small.

The committee would appreciate being kept abreast of update No. 3 of Pathways for Growth. If the committee secretariat were informed of the proposed date of the presentation they could inform members who may wish to attend it.

I thank the members for attending and giving of their time. Today's proceedings have given us a clearer idea of potential opportunities as well as possible hurdles that we can highlight in our report. We can flag the challenges for the Minister's attention.