Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is dead right. There are significant synergies. There is a need for interdepartmental co-operation and co-operation with our State agencies. I am aware of several Ireland House-type arrangements, particularly in the EU, whereby the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia are all in under the one area. In recent years in my Department, there has been a really significant investment in agriculture attachés, who are based in embassies in our key markets. When travelling or participating in virtual trade missions, we see the important work they do on the ground to help to make progress on the local intricacies in every area for Irish companies that are seeking to enter or expand in a market. We are trying to navigate the local political circumstances also.

The Deputy referred to the many opportunities we have, including in Mexico and Japan. These are all places where we have agricultural attachés working with our diplomatic teams in the embassies and Bord Bia, which has great staff all around the world.

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