Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will reflect on the points the Deputy has made in the context of the budget that is available for 2017. It is possible to assist in ways other than those in which we have assisted to date. They include measures to provide the hardware necessary to support farmers' markets and those to which the Deputy referred. They include the provision of street furniture, awnings to provide shelter not only for stall holders but also customers, as well as water and electricity on site instead of being poisoned by fumes from generators. All of these issues can be progressed through the grants scheme in conjunction with local authorities. If it is the case that we need to tweak or redefine the scope of what is assisted under the CEDRA rural innovation and development fund to enable this to happen, I am certainly prepared to look at the matter in the Department. It is a relatively modest fund, but in conjunction with local funding it might be possible to deliver on the Deputy's objective. It would be a service to the food sector. In value terms, in the Republic of Ireland alone local artisan food production is worth more than €760 million a year.

By giving it an appropriate shop window we will give country markets the best possible opportunity and that is what the Deputy wants to progress.

See this speech in context