Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As proposals are being discussed and developed, jobs are being lost in the mushroom industry. The Minister will be aware that 700 jobs have been already lost in this sector. What we need are responses now and not discussions on what might happen in the future. There is an immediate crisis in this sector. The mushroom sector is at the cliff face of that crisis. It is not good enough for the Minister to talk about things that may happen in the future. This sector needs to be rescued now. Supports must be put in place to ensure that more companies do not go out of business.

On this sector in general, why did the Minister, Deputy Creed, and other Ministers not ensure that a fund was put in place to specifically support those companies that are most exposed to the fall in sterling, most of which are in the agrifood sector? The Minister indicated that he has been meeting with the partners on Food Wise 2025. Food Wise 2025, which is the strategic plan for the agrifood sector, was developed prior to the referendum on Brexit. It is important that Food Wise 2025 is reviewed in light of the implications of Brexit on this sector. It must be Brexit-proofed and updated so that it is a plan that ensures the sector can move forward taking into account the new challenges posed by Brexit.

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