Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 February 2012
160 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether it is appropriate to appoint a person (details supplied) who had previously outsourced jobs to the board of Bord Bia. [5751/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord Bia has a statutory mandate to promote, assist and develop the marketing of Irish food and drink, seafood, livestock and horticulture products through innovative and effective research, development and promotion activities. The Bord Bia Acts require the Chair to have knowledge or experience of the food industry and of consumer requirements. The newly appointed Chairman has these attributes and will bring considerable experience and knowledge to the agri-food sector at a time when the food industry is playing a pivotal role in the economic recovery of this country.
The Chair of Bord Bia is responsible for leading and inspiring the organisation to develop strategies to expand markets in line with Food Harvest 2020 which sets out ambitious growth and export targets for the food sector, which will contribute to economic recovery and sustainable employment. The record €8.9 billion in the value of food and drink exports in 2011 marks an important step in that process.
