Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 December 2011
43 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the role of the agrifood sector as a major employer and exporter, if he will support the development of an all Ireland approach to developing jobs in this sector. [35943/11]
View answerIn the context of my engagement at North-South Ministerial Council I have made it clear that the implementation of the all-island animal health and welfare strategy is a necessary prerequisite to greater co-operation on the development of the agrifood sector. Progress is being made in this respect.
The primary responsibility for the fostering of jobs on an all-island basis lies with my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, in the context of the North-South Ministerial Council and the North South Body Intertrade Ireland which comes under his auspices. This is the business development body, whose mission is to promote North-South trade by building business capability, jobs and competitiveness.
