Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews. The matter I wish to raise is very important. I have raised it with the Minister for Finance who has just left the House. He said he would look very favourably upon including some of my proposals in the finance Bill in January, if possible.

The Minister of State may not be aware that the Food Harvest 2020 report was published recently. It raises many interesting points that could be debated fruitfully in this House on another occasion. It considers piloting new products, new product streams, targeting new markets, resources for new markets, market research and the Brand Ireland concept. It also considers the smart economy, the smart research and development commitment and the commitment to partnership.

The co-operative movement, headed by the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, ICOS, is seeking the Government's view on where it envisages infrastructure being put in place and funding being made available. It is curious about the markets that could be opened up to it. As the Minister of State knows quite well, the movement has served this country very well over the years. Some co-operatives have become plcs but many still remain. The way forward is to help the co-operatives on the ground such that they will lead the way in developing new products and markets if given the right assistance and if funding is targeted appropriately.

There are two aspects to this topic. The first is a proposal that would substantially help the Irish Dairy Board, the main purchaser of Irish dairy products. It manages a highly seasonal and volatile product. It is important its financial year match the season and the profile of the business. To comply with the law set down for co-operatives, the board's year end must fall between 1 September and 31 January. While this has not caused many problems up to now, the board would prefer to follow the agricultural cycle. It needs such a financial year end because its accounting year fell within the quiet part of the financial year. What it desires would allow it to have a smaller inventory and it would make stocktaking easier. It has many advantages and would be of no disadvantage to the Exchequer. I raised this matter with the Minister for Finance and believe he could include a provision in that respect in the finance Bill in January 2011. It would be of major benefit to the Irish Dairy Board.

With regard to research and development, the promotion and piloting of new products and the targeting of new markets, progress could be farther down the road but it is very important to know the Government's thinking thereon. The Irish Dairy Board could well set up a research and development facility. Funding could be put in place and the board could work with some universities, significantly benefiting the country and the development of new products.