Taoiseach Micheál Martin has strongly backed Bord Bia and its chair Larry Murrin in the Dáil this Wednesday lunchtime.
This comes as Murrin is under increasing fire for his company Dawn Farm Foods importing Brazilian beef to Ireland.
The Taoiseach was responding to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald in leader’s questions, who also wrote to Martin on Wednesday morning seeking Murrin’s resignation.
The Taoiseach warned the Sinn Féin leader not to “go after people wrongly and without proper perspective” and not to “undermine” food companies.
“Don’t try and drag down a good organisation, deputy. Don’t try and drag it down, now. Let’s not go for this very populist, low-level activity.
“Let’s not all go like herd instincts, jump everywhere and go after people wrongly and without proper perspective or understanding of the Irish food industry, which has been a good success story for Ireland over the last number of years and continues to be.
“Bord Bia is one of the better State agencies and our food companies which are global, by the way, all over Europe and all over the world, let’s not undermine them just for the sake of chasing other people for votes and for popularity,” the Taoiseach said.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. \ Claire Nash
Specifically on Bord Bia, the Taoiseach said the organisation has been performing “exceptionally well” in recent years, with the value of agri-food exports standing at €19bn last year.
“It’s extraordinary, impressive outcomes and results on the export of food stuffs, including beef. We export beef and Irish food to 75 countries around the world.
“I’m just back from China where I saw Bord Bia executives in Mandarin marketing Irish food very effectively and very efficiently,” he added.
Addressing the Taoiseach prior to this, the Sinn Féin leader said she believed Murrin’s position to be “completely untenable”. “I hope that you will act on my letter,” McDonald added.
Letter
In her letter to the Taoiseach, seen by the Irish Farmers Journal, McDonald called for Murrin’s resignation and said he cannot continue as Bord Bia chair given that his company Dawn Farm Foods imports beef from Brazil.
“I write to you concerning the very serious revelations from Dawn Farms which has confirmed the sourcing of Brazilian beef for the Irish foodservice market. Their CEO Mr Larry Murrin is chair of Bord Bia. These positions are incompatible.
“His approach as CEO of Dawn Farms sits in direct conflict with Bord Bia’s role to promote Irish food, particularly Irish beef,” she said.
A meeting of the board of Bord Bia is to take place on Thursday.
Read more
Bord Bia chair in hot water over Brazilian beef imports
Larry Murrin has engaged with Bord Bia board on imports – Minister
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has strongly backed Bord Bia and its chair Larry Murrin in the Dáil this Wednesday lunchtime.
This comes as Murrin is under increasing fire for his company Dawn Farm Foods importing Brazilian beef to Ireland.
The Taoiseach was responding to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald in leader’s questions, who also wrote to Martin on Wednesday morning seeking Murrin’s resignation.
The Taoiseach warned the Sinn Féin leader not to “go after people wrongly and without proper perspective” and not to “undermine” food companies.
“Don’t try and drag down a good organisation, deputy. Don’t try and drag it down, now. Let’s not go for this very populist, low-level activity.
“Let’s not all go like herd instincts, jump everywhere and go after people wrongly and without proper perspective or understanding of the Irish food industry, which has been a good success story for Ireland over the last number of years and continues to be.
“Bord Bia is one of the better State agencies and our food companies which are global, by the way, all over Europe and all over the world, let’s not undermine them just for the sake of chasing other people for votes and for popularity,” the Taoiseach said.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. \ Claire Nash
Specifically on Bord Bia, the Taoiseach said the organisation has been performing “exceptionally well” in recent years, with the value of agri-food exports standing at €19bn last year.
“It’s extraordinary, impressive outcomes and results on the export of food stuffs, including beef. We export beef and Irish food to 75 countries around the world.
“I’m just back from China where I saw Bord Bia executives in Mandarin marketing Irish food very effectively and very efficiently,” he added.
Addressing the Taoiseach prior to this, the Sinn Féin leader said she believed Murrin’s position to be “completely untenable”. “I hope that you will act on my letter,” McDonald added.
Letter
In her letter to the Taoiseach, seen by the Irish Farmers Journal, McDonald called for Murrin’s resignation and said he cannot continue as Bord Bia chair given that his company Dawn Farm Foods imports beef from Brazil.
“I write to you concerning the very serious revelations from Dawn Farms which has confirmed the sourcing of Brazilian beef for the Irish foodservice market. Their CEO Mr Larry Murrin is chair of Bord Bia. These positions are incompatible.
“His approach as CEO of Dawn Farms sits in direct conflict with Bord Bia’s role to promote Irish food, particularly Irish beef,” she said.
A meeting of the board of Bord Bia is to take place on Thursday.
Read more
Bord Bia chair in hot water over Brazilian beef imports
Larry Murrin has engaged with Bord Bia board on imports – Minister
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