146 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress which has been made regarding efforts to reopen the beef trade with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25110/01]

It is the policy of this Government that every export market should be open to Irish beef and no effort is being spared by my Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs or An Bord Bia to bring this about. Each of our important export markets, particularly Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, is being dealt with in whatever way is most appropriate to the circumstances prevailing in that market. The strategy adopted in each case is kept under constant review by my Department having regard to advice from our embassies on the ground and from An Bord Bia. Opportunities afforded by ministerial visits to the region were availed of to press Ireland's case for a reopening of those markets.