Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. While he is here, I would like to acknowledge the help I have received from officials in his Department. I ask him to pass on my sincere thanks to them.

On the poultry sector, I see some light in the Minister of State's response in that it is now over to the poultry sector to provide the evidence the Department requires showing that it has tried to recruit locally. As I said, that road has been travelled without success. I will, however, communicate with the sector on again producing the evidence of having travelled that road. When that evidence is submitted, as I have no doubt it will be, the Department may then see fit to issue the number of permits the sector requires. The poultry sector is of great importance to County Monaghan and we cannot allow anything to interfere with its continued growth.