Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

The Minister of State has made a great case for some type of co-ordination in this regard which is not currently in place. In light of that, would he agree we need a single food industry development agency and a comprehensive marketing programme for our indigenous food companies, as set out in the enterprise strategy plan now abandoned by the Government? In that context, why were those two proposals not included in the action plan the Government approved last week? Why has the Department of Agriculture and Food been left out of the loop regarding the implementation plan, in which six other Departments are involved?

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