Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the role of the agri-food sector as a major employer and exporter, if he will support the development of an all Ireland approach to developing jobs in this sector. [35943/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In the context of my engagement at North/South Ministerial Council I have made it clear that the implementation of the all-island Animal Health and Welfare Strategy is a necessary prerequisite to greater co-operation on the development of the agri-food sector. Progress is being made in this respect.

The primary responsibility for the fostering of jobs on an all island basis lies with my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD in the context of the North South Ministerial Council and the North South Body Intertrade Ireland which comes under his auspices. This is the business development body, whose mission is to promote North-South trade by building business capability, jobs and competitiveness.