Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for that reply. I asked the question because as we are all aware, agriculture and our exports are growing and the need for quality food across the world will become more in demand as time goes on. This is my first time to ask a question as spokesperson in this House but when I went home to start farming at 15 years of age when we joined the European Union, Bord Bia was always looked up to and it did a great deal of good work. I asked the question because I want to know if the Minister is happy that the funding Bord Bia gets is being put to good use and that we are implementing the right measures to promote Irish agriculture.

I am aware there was a food fair in Brussels at which all 27 member countries were invited to host a stand. Ireland ended up with a stand with an empty bottle of Beamish and a list of the numbers of pubs in the area. When people looked into the matter to know the position the organisers said that they were told that because of cutbacks-----

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