Regarding the high level market access committee, no civil servants will work exclusively on the committee. Rather they will combine it with other roles they fulfil within the Department. The committee is chaired at Assistant Secretary level.
A market access unit has been in existence within my Department for a number of years and that unit is working exclusively on meat market access issues for beef, lamb, pigmeat and poultry. Its staffing complement has recently increased and the number of people now working in the unit is 7, comprising an Assistant Principal Officer, an Administrative Officer, A Higher Executive Officer, 2 Executive Officers and 2 Clerical Officers.
In addition a veterinary unit with a dedicated international markets focus is currently being established. It is anticipated that this unit will have six staff members.
I am conscious of the need to have access to alternative markets for the Irish meat sector as we approach a period of uncertainty regarding our main export market in Great Britain and the redoubling of our efforts on the third country market access front reflects this concern.
