Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 April 2023
143. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Ireland has lost an expected deal for the sale of 5,000 cattle to be exported due to delays in visa processing as reported in the media (details supplied); if his Department has become involved to resolve this issue to ensure that export deals like this are not lost again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19854/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department allocates significant resources to live exports, both in supporting the trade and ensuring the welfare of animals being transported. It is an important market for us to help drive competition.
Whilst I note the media report that you refer to, the transaction of animal sales is a private commercial activity. Decisions in relation to the granting of visas and processing of such applications is a matter for the Department of Justice.I also inform the Deputy that neither I nor my Department have not received any correspondence from the named company in relation to the issue raised.
