Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had discussions with shippers, operating out of Dublin and Dún Laoghaire to ports in Wales and England, in relation to the possibility of their allowing lorries carrying livestock to be carried on these ships, so that Irish farmers would have direct access to factories in Britain for their livestock, in view of the higher prices paid there at times and to increase competition for the slaughter of Irish livestock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14735/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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While meetings have taken place between my Department, An Bord Bia and Irish Ferry Companies to explore the possibilities for the direct transport of livestock (cattle) from Ireland to Britain, the matter is primarily one for decision by the ferry companies based on commercial considerations. Currently livestock ferries operate from Larne and Belfast.