The development of a 'super lairage' facility at Rosslare Port in Wexford is a matter for live exporters and not the Department of Agriculture, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said.

“The provision of lairage facilities and handling facilities are a matter for the trade itself.

“I think it’s really important that we see our live exporters work together and collaborate and I would encourage them to continue to collaborate on any ideas for developing facilities that they would have,” he said.

Minister McConalogue was responding to a question from Senator Victor Boyhan at Tuesday’s Oireachtas agriculture committee who asked the minister about the development about a super lairage at Wexford.

Boyhan said the Irish Livestock Stakeholders Association, the group set up for live exporters, told him that a super lairage at Rosslare would reduce journey times for animals.

Live animal trade

Minister McConalogue said that the live animal trade is an important aspect of the beef sector.

“I’ve engaged with the sector closely over the last number of months in preparation for the spring period, which is a really important period from a live export point of view, and my Department officials will continue to engage strongly around that to continue to prepare for that and make sure that trade is facilitated in every way we can,” he said.