Mr. Dermot Callaghan:

Obviously we cannot cover every possibility but in terms of some of the major sectors, if you look at apples, which is a sector we are trying to develop, we are bringing in genotypes from abroad and road testing them in an Irish context first before we release them and suggest they be adopted in the sector. We do see varieties with CRISPR-Cas as disruptive technology as having a positive impact and we are technology adopters when it comes to the area of breeding and crop varieties.

In respect of mixed farming, as Professor O'Mara alluded to, we have to remember that 90% of the volume of fruit is retailed through five multiples. It is a very professional sector and when you put product on the market for sale, there are a lot of checks and balances in terms of hygiene, etc. It is a really professional business so given the current scale, it is very difficult to see opportunities for mixed farming. However, rotations are obviously very important to the sector. Shared farming and dealing with the tillage sector and other sectors to bring land available to the horticultural sector will be very important down the road where land availability is becoming an issue. I can see some sort of shared farming scenarios appearing to provide rotation to the sector and people being played in in that way.

The Senator's last question was about how we were going to achieve the 30% increase. We must always be outward looking and try to embrace some of these new varieties and new opportunities we see. Regarding one thing that has changed a lot in 30 years, we often hear about comparative advantage and we hear that we have a great climate for growing grass.

Technology has moved on in 30 years, however. There are opportunities to adopt technologies that are available and have been road-tested abroad as regards production systems, and use them in an Irish context. Apples are one example of what we are doing at present. There are opportunities to increase what we do. On top of that, the supermarkets realised this year that there is a requirement for them to source more Irish product. They have been hurt through their own supply chains in trying to access volume and have realised that they need to shore up their local supply base. Supermarkets are more focused on short supply chains.