Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the short time I have, I want to highlight and make sure that our agriculture industry will not be compromised in any way following the break-up of the UK and the European Union. As we are an island nation and there may be tariffs to go through England, we must ensure that we have direct access from Ireland to mainland France by ferry or whatever to ensure that we have ample ways of getting our produce into the rest of Europe. That is very important. Cattle are fairly good at the present time. I have not been able to say that for the last four years while I have been up here in this House. We do not want anything to happen that would be to the detriment of farm produce, whether it is the live export trade, the beef trade or any produce from Irish farms. We must make sure. Our Government has to insist that it gets the financial support to develop this new ferry service from Ireland to France and there must be no doubt about it that we are looking for that. We must ensure that Irish produce is able to get out of this country.

Also we must do everything possible to maintain the markets we have with the UK and that we have had traditionally. They are our nearest neighbours and a lot of buyers come down from the North of Ireland. We must ensure that nothing jeopardises that. They have been good buyers and we welcome them to places like Cahersiveen, Kenmare and Castleisland. They always have a positive influence on the cattle trade.

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