asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is intended to examine any new methods of improving the marketing of our agricultural produce.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Produce Marketing.
22.
The marketing of agricultural produce is kept under continuous review by my Department. As already announced, I have set up an Agricultural Exports Co-Ordinating Group comprising representatives of the major agricultural export agencies and Córas Tráchtála under the chairmanship of my Department. This group has been assigned the task of keeping under review and co-ordinating the activities of the various bodies represented on it, in regard to export promotion of agricultural products and of making recommendations for the improvement of these activities.
It is also my intention to introduce legislation shortly to give Córas Beostoic agus Feola a wider promotional role and to make it functionally more effective. In addition, I hope to set up soon a Horticultural Development Group to assist the future development of horticulture. This group will, of course, examine the marketing of our horticultural products.
Would the Minister agree the impression was given that an overall marketing body with actual powers would be created to encompass all the different agricultural export agencies? It now transpires that this is just a committee which can make recommendations, and the commitment given in the manifesto has not been fulfilled.
I do not think that impression was given. This is a co-ordinating group and it was considered that it would be satisfactory.
It is not what was in the manifesto. Would the Minister not agree the impression was given that a marketing body with powers would be set up, whereas all we have got is yet another committee to make recommendations and give advice?
I do not think that is so. If the committee is given a chance it will prove to be a very good body and I am sure our exports in general will benefit.
How many times has this group met and did it make any recommendations which have been accepted.
The Minister may answer a supplementary question but the question on the Order Paper does not ask for any such information.
This group held its inaugural meeting on 13 November 1978 and a further meeting took place on January 31. Suggestions made at the latter meeting are being considered.
Two meetings?
So far.
We need not take it too seriously.
That is since last November only.