Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

All the nice sunny weather in Cork makes it easier to grow hops there.

The Deputy is right that we grew them in the 1980s and 1990s but there was consistent poor weather in the 1990s. The main producers, who were based near Kilkenny and towards where Deputy Stanton is based, stopped production but there is an interest in developing the sector again. The main cost is in the support structures that hold them up because the hops grow up to 5 m in height. There is no room for EU support in the area but, through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, funding is provided in competitive horticulture. That is worth exploring and I will raise the matter with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes. They can support the processing, marketing and equipment. We can approach them and try to do something. I am happy to try to find a solution and we will work with the various Departments involved. It is a sector we want to help and support and there is great potential.

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