I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 540 together.
The interdepartmental group has been established and has held two meetings to date. Membership comprises representatives of the following Departments; Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Finance; Foreign Affairs; Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; Health and Children; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A number of issues of cross departmental nature were discussed including CAP/WTO, energy costs, waste management, retail margins, regulation and market access. This Group is preparing a report with recommendations for the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the food and beverage sector.
The high level groups established on foot of the AgriVision Report, i.e. the Food Industry Committee, the Agency CEO Group, the Agri-food Research Subgroup as well as the Interdepartmental and the Market Access Groups established under the Programme for Government all work with the food industry in developing the sector and progressing issues impeding its development.