John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister. I met with agriculture students and teachers at Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, LOETB, at the Intro to Ag initiative in recent days. I have also met with producers and farmers. It is clear that they are extremely proud of the high regard for Irish produce across the world. However, there is also a level of innovation today within this sector is best in class. It is important that we ensure it remains best in class.

Our success in this sector did not come about by accident. It came about through strategic planning, investment and branding, marketing and promotion. We need to reassure the sector that that will continue long into the future. I recognise the work of Bord Bia in what it has done to make that materialise over a number of years.

I see three strands on which we need to focus. Promoting Irish produce overseas is certainly one of them. We need to see how we can further assist food producers. We also need to encourage Irish supermarkets to stock more Irish produce where possible.

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