Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)

Fáiltím roimh an deis labhairt ar an ábhar seo. I was surprised to hear Deputy Mattie McGrath had been in Áras an Uachtaráin on only one previous occasion. He might consider spending his political retirement within its hallowed walls as President. Who knows what would happen.

It was good to see our colleagues from the North of Ireland sitting in the Seanad today. I hope this is an indicator of what can happen in the future when representatives of all of Ulster, not just of three counties, might sit in the Oireachtas. We would like to see that sunny day sooner rather than later.

I agree that much of the focus needs to be put on the issue of trade. A previous speaker observed that Britain was our largest national trading partner. It should be noted, however, that there is a deficit in our trading relationship with Britain. Imports from Britain outstripped our exports to Britain by €228 million in the first three months of the year. There is potential to reverse that deficit, grow trade through increased exports and produce a surplus. We should look at some of the sectors in which that could be done. Yesterday the Central Statistics Office released figures demonstrating the increase in exports in certain sectors of the economy. The chemical and pharmaceutical sector showed the greatest increase and the highest proportion of exports. While that is to be welcome, it is important that the Government does not put all our eggs in one basket and that an effort is made to diversify in and promote other sectors. Too much pressure on one sector means it can be exposed to changes in the world economy.

Yesterday's figures also noted the strength of the agrifood industry. Most Deputies come from constituencies in which the agrifood sector is important. Unfortunately, it has been the Cinderella of the Irish export market. In the first three months of last year it contributed €685 million in exports and experienced an increase of €31 million this year. It has huge potential. It has the potential to create wealth and jobs in every corner of the State. The Government has been focusing on foreign direct investment and high-tech industries, rightly so. However, it is also important not to forget that large sections of our society are excluded from these high-tech industries because they do not have the communications infrastructure necessary for their development. If we can progress agrifood industries, we can sustain jobs and growth in all corners of the State and create wealth.

My own county of Meath is a leading producer of potatoes and a significant producer of beef, barley, milk, wheat and root vegetables. Our farmers would welcome an opportunity to showcase our quality produce in the export markets of Britain. I welcome the decision by the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly to support an annual British-Irish trade mission which I hope will focus on the quality of agrifoods.

Many small agrifood producers have latent capacity to export but do not have the necessary skills or experience. We need a programme within the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation that would identify these producers' target markets in Britain. The target markets would then be warmed by marketing activities and made aware of the producers here in Ireland; trade visits would be organised; the small agrifood producers would be hand-held on these trade missions and departmental officials would sit in with them during initial meetings until they had won their first export customers. These first few steps in seeking exports are easy for a large business but very daunting for a small agrifood producer. The Ministers and Ministers of State with responsibility in this area should focus on this issue and help small agrifood producers, not only in County Meath but also throughout the State, to take their first steps in the British market. It is also important that these small producers be up-skilled in marketing and have the necessary communications technology to develop websites in order to warm their target markets and sell directly to them.

Aontaím lena bhfuil ráite ag mo chomhghleacaí, an Teachta Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, agus lenár gcomhghleacaithe ar na bínsí os ár gcomhair. Impím ar an Rialtas níos mó a dhéanamh chun díriú isteach ar an earnáil feirmeoireachta. Tá an-deis againn ach níl an fomhar seo á bhaint. Caithfimid níos mó a dhéanamh chun go mbeidh muinitir na tuaithe in ann níos mó earraí a easpórtáil go dtí an Bhreatain.

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