Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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643. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps taken by an organisation on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33328/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Beef Taskforce was established by the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on foot of the beef sector agreement of 15th September 2019. The TaskForce is comprised of named individuals who were nominated at that time by the parties to that Agreement.

The Beef Taskforce remit was to monitor the implementation of the actions arising from the agreement reached on 15th September. According to the terms of reference, the Taskforce was to meet at least quarterly from October 2019 for a period of one year after which the Taskforce’s progress was to be reviewed.  However, progress was delayed in 2020 due to COVID-19.

I have requested the independent Chair of the Beef Taskforce, Mr Michael Dowling, to provide a report to me on the progress to date of the Taskforce. It is my understanding that the majority of the actions are now implemented but I await the final report, after which I will make the necessary decision on future strategic engagement with the Sector.

Issues around the participation of the organisation named are an internal matter for that organisation and one which neither myself or my Department has any role in. We have engaged at different times with both sides and urged mediation with a view to reconciliation which regretfully has not been possible. The individuals who sit on the Taskforce are the original nominees from the organisation and to replace or exclude them at this very late stage would not be appropriate.