Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

There is no doubt that the industry faces many challenges in an increasingly competitive market. The story is to sell our beef and we can speak negatively or we can go down the road of promoting the quality of beef, which we see as the way forward for the industry.

The measures I referred to demonstrate clearly the Government's commitment to the development of the agrifood industry. The Department also has a range of other measures, including in the forestry and bio-energy areas. I assure Deputies that the Government will not be found wanting in taking necessary and appropriate action to defend and promote the best interests of all stakeholders in our most important indigenous industry, putting quality and standards first and dealing with the labelling issue.

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