Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Our overseas trade is so important. I think there has been a big change in the thinking in Europe since things have happened. As I said, energy security and food security are the most important and, as we have said before as regards the fishing industry, fish is a superfood. We are an island. It is so important for us. At the moment, 2.4 million calves are born in Ireland every year, and 370,000 of those are exported. That is a serious industry that we have to protect, no matter what happens. As the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach said about veal, they usually go to the Netherlands, Spain or Italy. We are talking about a big business, a lot of money and a lot of stuff that benefits our own citizens, so we should not have to be shy about anything. We have a great industry. We have one of the best industries in the world, and people envy us. As regards our grass industry, our green industry, they envy us all round. We can see why other countries maybe want to get a bit of a hold on it or control of it, but we just have to go forward. We have to stand up for Ireland ourselves. Sometimes we take a lot on board and use pilot schemes and so on that should not have to happen any more. We should stand up for ourselves. The Department should be brave enough, go forward enough and protect the industry.