6 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2818/94]

11 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2815/94]

17 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2835/94]

23 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2809/94]

25 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2821/94]

26 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2846/94]

29 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2816/94]

36 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2838/94]

37 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2841/94]

38 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2822/94]

42 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2813/94]

43 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2843/94]

46 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2820/94]

47 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2833/94]

50 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2826/94]

53 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2805/94]

54 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2827/94]

62 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2828/94]

65 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2808/94]

68 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2812/94]

71 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2832/94]

73 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2840/94]

74 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2836/94]

75 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2824/94]

80 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2845/94]

81 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2839/94]

82 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2811/94]

91 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2817/94]

95 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2819/94]

97 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2814/94]

98 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2834/94]

102 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2842/94]

103 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2806/94]

106 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2830/94]

108 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2825/94]

109 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2823/94]

110 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2844/94]

111 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2837/94]

112 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2807/94]

113 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2831/94]

116 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he and his officials have co-operated fully with the live export trade to resolve the shortage of adequate ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2810/94]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 11, 17, 23, 25, 26, 29, 36, 37, 38, 42, 43, 46, 47, 50, 53, 54, 62, 65, 68, 71, 73, 74, 75, 80, 81, 82, 91, 95, 97, 98, 102, 103, 106, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113 and 116 together.

My Department has co-operated fully with live animal exporters on the question of transport facilities.

Any new transport facilities which operators wish to bring on stream will have to meet stringent welfare-related standards. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry will continue to co-operate fully with such operators in the evaluation and approval of facilities.

Animals continue to be exported to the Continent and progress has been made in putting in place alternative transport arrangements. There is no evidence that there has been a deterioration in prices attributable to the decision of some ferry operators to withdraw their livestock shipping services.

I thank my colleagues who facilitated me by putting down questions in their names. I thank the Minister for his response and concur with him that exports of livestock must conform to the highest welfare standards. Will the Minister agree that he has not been overly enthusiastic in his efforts to resolve the present impasse and lack of ferry facilities for livestock exports because of his bias towards dead meat processors? That is the view of livestock producers. Will he confirm that an impasse and a lack of ferry facilities almost suits present Government policy?

I am prepared to co-operate with ferry operators as long as the standards on those ferries conform to the international recognised standard for the transport of animals concerned. We have a considerable livestock export trade which last year, extended to approximately 375,000 head of cattle; this year it will reach approximately 400,000 head of cattle. I am responsible for the development of the overall industry and I am mindful of our processing industry. One of the first jobs I had to do when I took office was to seek to maintain production in plants in Bal-laghaderreen, Ballyhaunis, Camolin, County Wexford and Charleville, County Cork. I am glad they are still in production, but we need to maintain a balance——

So the answer to my question is yes.

Let us hear the reply without interruption.

It suits the Minister's thinking to have an impasse.

——between our processing industry and our live trade and to ensure that a competitive element keeps prices high. I am delighted that prices for cattle are at an all time high, not only this year but last year also.

Will the Minister agree that to ensure a fair return to our farmers for their cattle both avenues are necessary, namely, the dead meat trade at home on which I agree with the Minister is very important and an export outlet as we have surplus production to our domestic needs? Does he agree that we need a balance to ensure that the producer, the farmer, gets a fair return? What, if anything, is the Minister's Department doing to ensure adequate ferry facilities of a proper standard are available for the export of our livestock?

I accept it is vitally important to have balance in the trade between the processing industry and the live trade. As approximately 400,000 head of cattle will be exported this year that balance obviously exists. Prices in marts around the country show there is a strong competitive element.

I had discussions with a number of commercial ferry operators who informed me that additional vessels have been made available. Prices in marts throughout the country in recent weeks have been maintained and I will ensure that ferries meeting a standard will be licensed by the Department. At the December meeting of the Council of Ministers I expect a Community wide uniform standard for the transportation of animals by ferry and on land will be decided to ensure safety, lack of stress and absence of cruelty in the transportation of animals throughout the European Union. If the matter is agreed at that meeting I expect the original ferry services will be back on stream.

Does the Minister consider there are strategic implications for us, as an island nation on the periphery of Europe, having inadequate ferry facilities to export — this also applies to imports — our goods and services and to have competitive access to our markets? Are there long term strategic implications for what was a pre-emptive strike by the ferry company in question in withdrawing its service? If that were extended to other essential goods and services what would it mean for this country on the periphery of Europe which needs to import and export essential goods and services and to have competitive access to our markets?

I accept the Deputy's remarks. Obviously, the fact that we are an island member state has implications. In relation to agriculture, particularly livestock, in the region of nine out of every ten steers or bullocks in the country are destined for the export market. Obviously a difficulty or constriction on the availability of ferry services to transport agricultural goods from Ireland has serious implications. An interdepartmental group is examining this matter, particularly since the opening of the tunnel — I am not talking about the Cork tunnel.

The chunnel.

Transport facilities are needed to ensure that our overall economy, particularly the agricultural economy, is provided with the necessary services to gain access to our export markets.

When will the interdepartmental group report back?

I am not sure but I expect it will be shortly.

The Minister referred to agreement in the European Community on regulations. Will he confirm that he will negotiate with those ferries that have withdrawn their services with a view to their reintroduction? Is he of the opinion that other outside influences will try to undermine the work being done in the Community irrespective of what agreement is reached, taking cognisance of the fact that the lifeline of agriculture in the west and northwest has been live exports?

I have been in communication with the chairman of Pandoro Ferries who said that if we put in place a uniform European animal welfare transport system he will restore ferry facilities. He also said that he has no difficulty whatever with the Irish standards but that on arrival on the Continent some of the land transport services are not up to standard in that they have inadequate rest periods, layerage and feeding and ventilation. I am very insistent on uniform animal welfare systems throughout the European Union.

There is a long tradition of weanling and store trade in the west and north-west, particularly in Donegal, and it is my intenion to ensure that continues.