Vol. 510 No. 4
116 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of trade visits he has made to third country markets to specifically promote Irish beef since his appointment; the dates and countries visited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22915/99]
117 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of trade visits he has made to third country markets to specifically promote Irish beef since his appointment; the dates and countries visited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22916/99]
118 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of trade visits he has made to third country markets to promote Irish beef in the past 12 months; the dates and countries visited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22918/99]
119 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of trade visits he has made to third country markets to promote Irish sheepmeat in the past 12 months; the dates and countries visited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22921/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 117, 118 and 119 together.
Since my appointment as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development in June 1997, I have made six trade visits to third countries to promote Irish beef. I take every possible opportunity, when travelling abroad, to promote Irish agriculture and food products in general. In the absence of export refunds, which do not apply in the sheep sector, Irish sheepmeat is not competitive on third country markets. I would mention that, through my attendance at trade fairs in the EU, I also promote the export to third countries of Irish food products, including beef. The following is a list of my visits to third countries with the relevant dates:
Libya from 9 to 12 August 1999
Egypt and Jordan from 12 to 15 April 1999
Dubai (United Arab Emirates) from 26 to 29 March 1999
Iran from 5 to 8 October 1998
Egypt and Lebanon from 26 to 29 May 1998
Egypt from 27 to 29 September 1997
