Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 April 2023
112. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 278 of 8 March 2023, the status of the establishment of the Wool Council; the number of meetings held to date; the terms of reference for the Council; to clarify the status of his Department's role on, or reporting relationship with, the Wool Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17290/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for her ongoing interest in this matter.
As the Deputy is aware, one of the main recommendations of the Wool Feasibility Report is the establishment of an ‘Irish Grown Wool Council’ which would be industry-led and have multiple stakeholders from the wool sector including primary producers, farmers and commercial enterprises willing to fund research and promotion.
In support of this recommendation, my Department pledged financial assistance of €30,000 towards the initial set up costs of this independent council.
In December 2022, a preliminary meeting of the stakeholders interested in forming a Wool Council took place. This group discussed their common aims as well as agreeing to establish a stakeholder led working group to take the next steps in formally establishing the Wool Council. Officials from my Department also attended this meeting to outline the criteria needed to draw down the seed funding of €30,000.
On the 5th April 2023, over 50 stakeholders from the wool sector attended a meeting to officially launch the Irish Grown Wool Council. Attendees included primary producers, farming organisations and industry representatives from both Ireland and Northern Ireland. My officials also attended this meeting to monitor the Council formation process and to ensure that the council membership included full representation of all industry sectors.
All details regarding the terms of reference and council membership can be obtained directly from the Council by contacting irishgrownwoolcouncil@gmail.com.
Following the initial set up period, the Irish Grown Wool Council will be an independent stakeholder led Council comprising of stakeholders from all sectors of the wool industry. My Department does not hold a seat on the Council.
I am delighted that the Irish Grown Wool Council has been formally launched and I look forward to seeing the recommendations of the Wool Feasibility Study brought to fruition. I believe that this Council will help drive further value to wool to benefit our sheep farmers and seek a more favourable outlook for the future of Irelands wool industry.
Wool is a tremendous product - it is durable, versatile and sustainable. It is my ambition that the new Wool Council will help drive further value for wool to benefit our sheep farmers.
