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Ministerial Meetings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Questions (937)

Carol Nolan

Question:

937. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged with a company (details supplied) with a view to ensuring that financial and supply arrangements with Irish farmers are maintained going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5131/20]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I have no role in commenting on individual commercial decisions. Along with my Department and Bord Bia, I regularly engage with the key retail, food service and other customers at both national and international levels, with a view to promoting the quality, safety and taste of Irish food and drink products. I urge all industry stakeholders to recognise their interdependence and to engage together in a way that ensures the ongoing sustainability of the supply chain.

I am acutely aware of the issues presented to the agrifood sector in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. My Department and I are working to ensure that business and services to farmers can continue, keeping food and other processing facilities operational, ensuring that payments and commercial activities that are necessary to protect farm incomes can continue.

My Department and agencies will continue to monitor the impacts on the agrifood sector as the situation evolves, and to provide appropriate supports to the sector. Senior officials from my Department remain in constant contact with stakeholders right across the sector to share information on emerging issues and contingency planning, and we will continue to develop appropriate supports as the situation evolves.

I understand that the company named has announced that it intends to re-open some of its outlet on a limited basis shortly and this is undoubtedly good news for the Irish beef sectors.

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