Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 590: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the strategic inter-Departmental group to identify and ease access and fully exploit new overseas markets for Irish food and drink products has been created; if it has convened; the initial findings and aims of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26910/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Building on the ongoing work of the Meat Market Access group involving my Department, Bord Bia and meat industry representatives which was established last July, an inter-Departmental Group chaired by my Department and comprised of representatives from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Enterprise, Trade and Employment, An Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Iascaigh Mhara has been established. This group held its first meeting in June and focused on developing a co-ordinated effort to identify potential market opportunities for the full range of Irish food and beverages, prioritisation of market initiatives and broader access issues. The Group's initial priority is the identification of new market potential and development of a programme of network support with customised strategies, including, where appropriate, trade missions. A report on progress on meat market access was also considered by the group.