Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of formal interaction between her Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to the development of the agrifood sector; the number of meetings which have taken place between officials from each Department in relation to this issue over the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16730/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There are regular and varied contacts between my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the development of the agri-food sector.

Officials from both departments participate, for example, in the Monitoring Committee of the Productive Sector Operational Programme under the National Development Plan, the National Functional Foods Forum, and various Enterprise Ireland committees including the Investment Committee and the Productivity Improvement Fund Committee.

At agency level, Bord Bia works closely with Enterprise Ireland on a range of activities to develop the agri-food sector and co-ordination in this regard has been formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the two agencies.

My Department will continue to work with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to ensure that Ireland's agri-food sector is developed to its full potential.