asked the Minister for agriculture the reason the ratio of State expenditure on marketing to value of exports is approximately nine times greater for other food exports as compared with exports from the sheep and beef meat sector.

The ratio of State expenditure on export promotion to the value of the exports is approximately the same for the sheep and beef meat sector as it is for other food products.

Would the Minister explain further what plans his Department have for the Irish livestock and meat sectors because his answer was very short? A further explanation is needed of what they intend doing in this area, which is the greatest potential job creation area in the whole of our economy.

The Deputy's question related to the value of exports, the ratio of State expenditure on marketing to the value of exports, which the Deputy claimed to be approximately nine times greater for other food exports as compared with exports from the sheep and beef meat sector.

That is correct.

I answered the question to the effect that the ratio of State expenditure on export promotion to the value of the exports is approximately the same for the sheep and beef meat sector as it is for other food products.

Would the Minister not agree that that speaks very badly for the whole of the sector, for all sectors, if that is so? The Minister must be aware that expenditure on marketing of beef and pig meat is minimal. Is that not so?

In relation to the Deputy's general remarks, since CBF were reorganised the total amount of funds available to them for marketing have been increased considerable. Naturally the Department would be concerned at all times to ensure that adequate funding is made available to have as aggressive a marketing programme as is possible.

Question No. 8.

What effect has the increased expenditure about which the Minister is speaking had on the presentation of Irish meat, beef and pig meat, or what programme have they adopted by way of improving our sales?

I do not want to go into detail on this except to say that there have been some fairly spectacular successes particularly in the German market with vacuum-packed beef and there are other areas in which significant progress is being made. Obviously we would be concerned to improve that everywhere we can and we will do all we can to ensure that that takes place.