Mary White (Fianna Fail)

The Irish food and drink industry is our largest indigenous industry. It is also Ireland's largest employer and employs thousands of people. Last year, exports from that sector increased by €1 billion to €8.5 billion, of which the dairy industry contributed €2.66 billion. I call on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, to arrange an investigation into the recent elections to the council of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, which has 90 members. Women are the backbone of the dairy industry.