Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have specific figures on food and drink, but I know that Canada exported nearly $82 billion worth of agriculture and food products last year. Enterprise Ireland is trying to identify the opportunities that are there for Irish companies to assist some of that market. As I said, we launched a partnership with Moffett engineering systems, which is the new generation of the Moffett family. It is an extraordinary product. It is with a company called Ya YA Foods Corp. in Toronto, which is one of the biggest food providers in Toronto. This provides a solution that is specifically tailored to that company. It employs approximately 60 people in Monaghan. It is growing its footprint to the Canadian food company. We will supply the committee with figures in relation to food.

In relation to the political environment, it is obviously very successful and very positive for Ireland. The Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has been here on a number of occasions. We have had ongoing contact and travel over and back. Covid-19 may have gotten in the way of deepening that political relationship. Yet, in terms of trade, there is an appetite there for doing more with Europe, but also doing more with Ireland. Ireland needs to position itself to take that advantage. Deputy Stanton made some interesting proposals about expanding our footprint in specific regions and I will discuss those with Enterprise Ireland. It might also be useful for the committee, once the members return, to come back with their findings on it.

There is political support on both sides for deepening and expanding the relationship. There are opportunities. Genuinely, I want to join with Deputy Bruton in praising the Enterprise Ireland staff. Our country manager, David McCaffrey, and his team over there are really hungry on the part Irish companies. They are throwing themselves into this role to open up opportunities for Irish companies that want to go out there and take advantage of this relationship.