Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the targets the Minister mentioned, our dairy sector has an advantage because of grass-based production. We should be emphasising and concentrating on that advantage further. What are we doing to ensure our competitive advantage is maintained?

There is no doubt job creation in the industry is very significant. Over the recent difficult years, agriculture was key to rebuilding this economy. We have to diversify. Diversification is important in the industry and we need to create more jobs. A good news story in recent years has been the re-emergence of distilleries and breweries. We need to concentrate on them. I recently attended the opening of a new brewery in my area. Some €25 million was invested, and the brewery will employ 60 people in a rural area. This will be very beneficial, but we need to maintain a competitive advantage and to be concentrating on these issues.

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