Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want cattle to be slaughtered and processed in Ireland. There are jobs in these value-adding activities. The same thing applies in the case of seafood. It is important for farmers who do not feel the factories are giving them value for money for their cattle to have an alternative outlet - to keep the factories honest, as many people describe it. That is why we welcomed the opening of the Libyan market to cattle and sheep available earlier this year. I would like the option of a live cattle trade to the UK to exist, but the market has to be given what it is looking for. I remind those who think our access to the UK market has been damaged that we will export €4 billion worth of food and drink, significantly more than we have ever done in the past, to the UK this year. Beef is a major part of that. The value of beef exports to the UK has increased in percentage terms by a double-digit figure in the last 12 months. This issue must be considered in the appropriate context. The UK is by far our biggest export market for food and drink. It accounts for 42% of our food and drink exports, which will be worth almost €10 billion this year. We are building that market. In response to the point that was made about the retention of ownership of animals being transported, I remind Deputy Naughten that we are in a receivership situation. Is he suggesting that the Department should step into the middle of a receivership situation deliberately to frustrate the process? Is he suggesting that an effort should be made to get people to hand over money to certain people who are owed money while others are ignored?

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