Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 April 2018
189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which the drinks industry can comfortably rely on the availability of homegrown supplies now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18509/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the drinks industry here relies on Irish grown grain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18510/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 190 together.
As the Deputy is aware I am conscious that the maintenance of an efficient and viable Tillage Sector in Ireland is of the utmost importance because it reduces our dependence on imported cereals and clearly contributes to the well being of the agri-food industry from a supply and sustainability viewpoint. In 2017 the Tillage Sector in Ireland was estimated to have contributed €243 million to the Exchequer and is a vital source of raw material to many sectors including the livestock sector for feedstuffs but also to the rapidly expanding drinks industry for malting and distilling.
While growing malting barley for the drinks industry is not the answer to all of the challenges facing the tillage sector the development of niche and specialist markets have potential to improve our competitiveness and sustainability credentials. The demand for Irish malting barley is growing in line with the sustained growth in demand for Irish whiskey. Recent estimates suggest 180,000 tonnes or 12% of Irish barley production goes for malting with an additional 60,000 tonnes or 4% of the barley crop going as unmalted barley for use in the brewing and distilling sector. The marketing opportunity offered by maximizing the amount of Irish grain in what are essentially Irish brands must be developed to the benefit of all involved and I fully support the initiatives that help to attain that aim. Within the malting sector, another specialist niche currently being promoted by my Department is the use of heritage Irish bred barley varieties in the development of new beers as a unique selling point for individual companies in the ever expanding craft brewery and distillery industries.
