Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is important to note that my officials participated in the European Commission high-level wine group last year. This group was established to develop policy recommendations to address issues in the European wine sector. While primarily aimed at reducing burdens currently impacting larger wine-producing countries, the final recommendations document produced by the group also recognised the importance of new and emerging wine producing countries, including Ireland. This may present an opportunity for further expansion in the cultivation of vineyards for wine production in Ireland. My Department will continue to monitor the pace of growth in this sector and is happy to engage with producers wishing to pursue this as an agrifood business, as part of the horticultural strategy. I would be delighted to sit down with any producers the Deputy would like to introduce to me. If there is any help or support we can give them, we will do so.

See this speech in context