Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy McNamara for his contribution. I assure him that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with me and the Ministers of State, Deputy Heydon and Senator Hackett, will work to get the best possible return for farmers and their work. We will work with State agencies and all in the sector to ensure that is the case. That is why we are taking the initiative with regard to the food ombudsman and why I think there is merit in developing a PGI. It is important that it is done in a co-ordinated way and properly marketed and driven. Effort and resources must be put into this PGI, once it is hopefully agreed in partnership, to ensure it is properly marketed abroad, connects to the consumer and delivers the greatest possible return. It will not be a silver bullet but hopefully it can be a significant help. We need to leverage it to make sure it delivers in the best way possible for the beef sector. I am not sure from the Deputy's response whether he thinks a PGI is a good idea, as such.

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