Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1657. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to have discussions with his EU colleagues in the context of Brexit with a view to ensuring continued access for food exports as heretofore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28423/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I fully recognise the potentially very significant difficulties that may arise for Irish agri-food exports as a result of Brexit. The agri-food sector is of critical importance to our economy, and particularly to the economy of rural areas given its wide regional spread - for example, in 2016 it employed approximately 173,000 people (8.6% of total employment), and the total value of agri-food exports was almost €12.2bn. I am therefore determined to safeguard its interests.

An important part of this process is the extensive work that I have undertaken in raising awareness of these issues at EU level. I have engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with my EU counterparts which are aimed at building alliances to ensure that agri-food issues are at the top of the EU negotiation agenda. To date I have had very fruitful meetings with my counterparts in Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia, Poland, France, Luxembourg, Austria and Belgium.  Further meetings are being arranged for the coming weeks with counterparts from, for example, Spain and Italy. I have also had frequent discussions with Commissioner Hogan, and my officials have participated in meetings with the Barnier Task Force and with counterparts in the UK and other member states.

My Department and I remain very focused on supporting the food export industry through the challenges ahead. I will continue to consult with the industry and with counterparts in the UK and other member states as the negotiations develop, and press Ireland's case at European level.