Ivan Yates
Ceist:228 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the extent to which the agriculture and food sector benefited from the market development fund.
Written Answers. - Market Development Fund.
As Minister for Tourism and Trade, my responsibility is to determine policy measures which assist the export of Irish firms and to provide resources to An Bord Tráchtála for its marketing programmes, including the market development fund. The day-to-day operation of the market development fund has been handled by a special management team led by an assistant chief executive from An Bord Tráchtála and drawn from the relevant State bodies. Grant approved by team are paid by An Bord Tráchtála. I have, therefore, no responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the fund or for decisions on individual applications.