Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there is a national strategy for the future of the bee population here. [3886/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Department is aware of the importance of maintaining a healthy bee population due to the role of bees in producing honey, aiding pollination and promoting and maintaining Irish Biodiversity.

The Department currently has a number of initiatives in place to promote and facilitate development in the beekeeping sector in terms of grant aid, funding bee health research and in conserving the native Irish bee. We also provide funding to and have a close working relationship with FIBKA, the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations. In fact officials from my Department met with representatives of FIBKA this morning to discuss issues of mutual concern.