Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Last night, we held a short but good debate on that matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent. Considerable harm has been done to our export market, although not to a great extent to our home market. The majority of Irish people will have full confidence in the market. Some 33% of our pork products are exported. When I visited Brussels on Tuesday, it was clear that our pigmeat competitors would use every opportunity to ensure that we do not regain our business.

Approximately 15 years ago, the Austrians experienced a significant problem in the form of de-icer used in wine and they have not recovered from that. A couple of years ago, the Belgians faced the problem of dioxins in meat and they have not recovered either, so let us not relax. We need to have a blitz on the marketplace and our customers, be they hoteliers, supermarkets, processors or consumers, because regaining our market will not be easy. Let us take out all the stops. It will not be enough for the Minister to convince someone in Europe. Bord Bia is the appropriate body to deal with this, but it needs everyone's support.