Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

On indigenous manufacturing, 87% of manufacturing units in Ireland are Irish-owned. Approximately 60% of those employ fewer than 20 people. The indigenous sector would be characterised by a large number of smaller firms. Those enterprises employ approximately 113,000 people, which is a significant number in indigenous manufacturing. We are keen to support that, as is Enterprise Ireland through its new productivity grant and research and development support. Enterprise Ireland has been very supportive of the food industry. I have presided over a number of initiatives with Enterprise Ireland involving Glanbia, Dairygold, Kepak and Cuisine de France. All have invested substantially in research and development to produce value added products.

The health enhancing food sector offers major potential for the Irish food industry. The research and development strategy, which I co-ordinated in the Cabinet sub-committee on science and technology, identified the agricultural and food agribusiness as key sectors for research and development. There has been much research and development in that sector through agencies such as Teagasc which worked with a variety of universities on centres for science, engineering and technology under Science Foundation Ireland. The food industry is a key indigenous industry that can add higher value jobs. My Department will work with the industry to make that a reality.

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