Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2004
18 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself that food producers here are given equal opportunity with their worldwide competitors to supply food stores here without exception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14780/04]
View answerTotal output of the food industry is valued at €15 billion, of which exports account for €7 billion. Ireland is an open economy and I fully believe that the future of Irish food producers and the industry lies in access to all markets, at home and abroad, and an emphasis by all players on competitiveness, innovation and understanding of market trends. My strategy and that of the State agencies is to underpin the ongoing success of the food sector by facilitating the industry to maintain competitiveness and capacity to meet the demands of the market in terms of quality, convenience, price and product specification.
Accordingly, significant funding is available under the national development plan for capital investment, research, technology and innovation, marketing and promotion and human resources. The specific food related initiatives in the national development plan provide funding to improve the quality and marketability of Irish food produce. For example, more than €7 million in aid is being provided for the capital investment scheme alone in 2004 to assist Irish producers to meet the standards of safety and quality demanded by consumers. A further €11 million is being provided under the food institutional research measure to fund public good research by third level institutions and Teagasc. Statutory responsibility for instituting action in terms of any possible lack of access or unequal opportunity on the domestic market rests with the Competition Authority to whom any evidence of untoward trading should be addressed.
