Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to invest in developing the new products and new food markets which will bring long-term security for the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28534/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, working in conjunction with the promotion and development agencies, and with industry through the structures established under the Agri-Vision 2015 Plan of Action, and most recently the Food Industry Research Sub-Group, has promoted marketing and research strategies to develop new products and new food markets.

At market level, there are emerging opportunities in Continental EU and Asian markets for food and drink exports as well as opportunities to build on established markets. In relation to beef progress continues in developing EU markets and improved access to third country markets has been secured, most recently in Saudi Arabia.

Funding to the food industry for in-company research and technology transfer is administered by Enterprise Ireland. My Department works closely with Enterprise Ireland to ensure that all aspects of food research, from applied to commercial, are facilitated and has supported initiatives by Enterprise Ireland to encourage greater involvement by the food industry in food research and development. Assistance is particularly focused on developing company's management, innovation and marketing capabilities. A number of company clusters in innovation and world class manufacturing are currently in existence, whose objective is to keep abreast with developments in these areas, facilitated by Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, BIM and Údaras na Gaeltachta. Research to provide a base of information and expertise in generic technologies is funded under my Department's FIRM programme to support innovation and product development in the food industry.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 482: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to establish a high-level strategic interdepartmental group whose role will be to, on an ongoing basis, identify and work to ease access and fully exploit new overseas markets for Irish food and drink products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28535/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 483: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to increase funding to An Bord Bia for overseas promotion of Irish food and agricultural produce and drink products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28536/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 507: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to continue to relentlessly pursue, along with political and diplomatic efforts, the best market returns through An Bord Bia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28561/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions No. 482, 483 and 507 together.

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 has been established. It is 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. This group held its first meeting in June and focussed 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. The 20% increase in funding to Bord Bia in 2006 has been carried through to 2008 and its current grant in aid is €27.5 million.