Ms Tara McCarthy:

I will move to the issues raised by Deputy Jackie Cahill.

The dependence on the British market is the core point for the food industry. While the most recent figures show a decline in our exports, from 37% to 35%, the British market is still our fundamental export market. There is a logic to it in that it is our closest market, we speak the same language, have a similar taste profile and it is an efficient market to deliver products with a short shelf life. There is movement towards the managing the risk attached to overdependence on any one customer or particular market. Our budget has been increased significantly again this year. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced an additional allocation of 32 staff to Bord Bia. In an organisation that has a headcount of 110 to date we believe we will be very focused on ensuring we properly absorb the additional 32 staff and value of money is achieved for the additional funding received. In the short term there has not been an additional ask as we seek to make sure we will get value for money.

I ask Mr. Maloney to address the quality assurance issue.