Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 May 2017
211. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons that will comprise the recently announced high level market access committee within his Department; the number of civil servants that will work exclusively on this dedicated committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22558/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish food and drink exports increased by 2% in 2016 to reach €11.15 billion and Ireland exports food and drink to around 180 countries all over the world. The Department is especially committed now, against the backdrop of Brexit, to further increase market access for Irish food and drink internationally, especially for the meat and dairy sectors. Indeed this principle was already a key component of Food Wise 2025.
While we have achieved significant success in recent years in conjunction with the various stakeholders such as such as Bord Bia, the industry, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassies abroad to increase the number of markets to which we enjoy access, there is always room for improvement.
The work required to unlock markets draws in people from many different strands of my Department including veterinary, technical and administrative. The High Level Market Access Committee will operate as a sub committee of the management board. It will be chaired by an Assistant Secretary General and will include senior veterinary, technical and administrative staff from relevant divisions to ensure that the work or the Department across different strands of market access is co-ordinated and effective. It is not intended that officials will be working exclusively on this committee.
