Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 4

Written Answers. - Departmental Visits to Libya and Egypt.

Brian Cowen

Question:

261 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of visits undertaken by him or officials from his Department to Libya or Egypt in each of the past five years; the purpose of these visits; whether issues of mutual concern were discussed with a view to improving trade relations with these countries, in particular the beef trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11378/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The following visits by officials of my Department to Libya and Egypt took place from the year 1991 to date.

Country	Year	Number of Visits
Libya	1991	4
	1992	2
	1993	2
	1994	2
	1996	1
Egypt	1991	1
	1993	1
	1994	1
	1996	1

The visits to Libya include those undertaken by the Agriculture Attaché at the Irish Embassy in Rome who is an official of my Department on secondment to the Department of Foreign Affairs. There have been no ministerial visits to either country during the period in question. I am making arrangements for a visit by myself and officials to Libya to persuade the Libyan authorities that their ban on Irish beef and cattle is unjustified.

The primary purpose of these visits was to facilitate our exports of agricultural products, in particular cattle and beef, to these two countries. Subjects discussed included veterinary conditions for trade in cattle and beef, arising particularly from the BSE situation. Two of the visits to Egypt were necessitated by difficulties that had arisen in regard to particular consignments of meat.

In addition officials from these countries have visited Ireland for discussions with my Department.