Vol. 474 No. 4
55 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the discussions, if any, which have taken place between his Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to providing permanent agricultural representation in Irish diplomatic missions to countries importing Irish beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3088/97]
No formal discussions have taken place between my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs in connection with the specific issue of providing permanent agricultural representation in Irish diplomatic missions to countries importing Irish beef. It is generally the function of the Department of Foreign Affairs to provide diplomatic services including any necessary assistance for the beef export trade.
My Department has arranged for the secondment of staff to the Department of Foreign Affairs to provide specialist services in our offices in Brussels, Geneva, London, Bonn, Paris and Rome and we are keeping the position in regard to this specialist service under review.
The services of An Bord Bia are of course also available in our export markets.
