Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not accept there is a lack of concern. The Department had prepared for the eventuality of a decision by the UK to leave the EU and had scoped out the potential damage that could do to the sector. As I outlined in my opening response, I visited the Netherlands and Belgium in March and the Minister, Deputy Creed, has visited a large number of member states in trying to reaffirm Ireland's particular set of circumstances and exposure to a very unfavourable Brexit deal, or no deal, which would be worse. We are working on this and it is an ongoing effort.

The Minister is this week in the United States and Mexico on a trade mission, which has been successful. That will achieve a certain mitigation but, nonetheless, we still export 40% of all our agricultural products to the UK. The mushroom sector exports 80% of its product to the UK and the forestry sector 70%, so there is particular exposure in some sectors.

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