Agriculture Committee gain from Diageo visit
14 March 2012
A delegation from the Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture yesterday received an overview of Diageo’s work with Irish agriculture during a visit to the St James’ Gate facility. Diageo is one of the largest purchasers of Irish agricultural produce.
Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee Andrew Doyle TD said: “Our Committee thanks Diageo for their comprehensive tour of the facility at St James’ Gate yesterday. It was an eye-opening visit, which afforded Committee Members a first-hand insight into the operations of a company which supports over 6,000 farming families nationwide.
“The delegation met with a number of key Directors at Diageo, who provided an overview of how the sourcing of quality Irish produce was central to the company’s export strategy in the coming years. The Committee also received a detailed briefing from operations and procurement managers on the €150 million expansion planned for the St James’ Gate site.
“The investment is a significant vote of confidence by Diageo in Ireland and testament to the longstanding link between St James’ Gate and Irish farming. It further reinforces the deeply held view by the Committee that our food and drink industry has a key role to play in national recovery.”