Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)

I wish everybody a happy new year. I look forward to working with every Member of the House in 2012. The media has reported some good news about Ireland's food and drink exports. Bord Bia revealed today that the value of such exports increased by 12% last year, to a total of €8.85 billion. This is very positive news for the agriculture and drinks sectors. The more Irish producers expand their business plans, produce and export, the more jobs will be created. It is noteworthy that the €1 billion increase in this figure, by comparison with 2010, means that these sectors accounted for a quarter of the total increase in Ireland's export revenues in 2011. The total value of exports designated for the UK market increased by 6%. The total value of exports designated for other European markets increased by 16%. The fact sheet for An Bord Bia for 2010-2011 indicates the following trends. The UK market is the primary destination for Irish agrifood and drink exports, accounting for nearly 44% of all our exports. Some 34% of exports went to continental and EU markets while 22% went to international markets. The figures for 2009 show that Ireland's gross agricultural output was valued at €4.73 billion. In 2010, Irish dairy exports rose by an estimated 17% to €2.3 billion. During 2010 Ireland exported an estimated 36,500 tonnes of sheep meat which was valued at €170 million.

We should have a debate on Ireland's food and drinks industry in the context of job creation and in order that we can have a presence and sustain the margins in global export markets. Irish firms need to work together as partners rather than as competitors. There is a possibility to increase the number of jobs in this industry to more than 300,000.