Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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The Strathroy processing plant is in Omagh and five other counties were mentioned in the presentation. Mr. Cunningham mentioned that he bought heifers or cows in the South, brought them back, milked them there, brought them back down to the South and yet the company is being discriminated against. Mr. Cunningham mentioned that it is anti-competitive and contravenes EU legislation. Whereas he does not want to go down the legal route, it is an option. If this cannot be resolved in a competitive way, will that option become a reality?

Mr. Cunningham mentioned the Bord Bia proposal that produce, regardless of where on the island of Ireland it originated, should carry the Irish brand, and I believe that is the way to go. Did Mr. Cunningham ever consider taking action through the Equality Authority? This seems like discrimination. The Equality Authority was established following the Good Friday Agreement. It may represent an avenue for moving this issue forward.

Is there potential for Strathroy to grow in terms of jobs? Is there potential to establish another processing plant, perhaps in a different part of the island? What are the options for progress other than through a legal test? How can we help to try to resolve this?