Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I emphasise it is not only that Irish products are excluded from Russian markets but that the products of the other 27 members states are excluded as well and those products seek shelf space in what one might call the western part of the European Union.

The Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, will be aware of the importance of the pig producing sector in the north of his county, particularly in the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock's, area, and from Edenderry and north Tipperary, the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, will be aware of the importance of Rosderra, and the industry that supplies the raw material to those plants. Over the years, those companies, supported by State agencies, did excellent work in sourcing new markets. There has been a significant, and unfortunately, negative, impact on prices paid to primary producers.

Could the Minister of State inform the House whether individual member states in the European Union have been able to negotiate an exemption from the imposition of sanctions for individual products, and if such process is available, would he ensure that efforts would be made to exempt those key products in the general agrifood area?

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