The Taoiseach today (Wednesday, January 21) told the Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald that Bord Bia has been "performing exceptionally well" after she called for its chair to resign.

It follows confirmation by a firm connected to the chair of Bord Bia that the business sources some beef from Brazil.

Larry Murrin, who is the chair, is also CEO of Dawn Farm Foods. 

Earlier in the day Deputy McDonald had written to the Taoiseach stating that she believes Larry Murrin's role as chair of Bord Bia is "incompatible" with his role in Dawn Farms.

However addressing the Sinn Féin leader in the Dáil, the Taoiseach put up a spirited defence of Bord Bia.

He said: "If you look at 2020 exports of about 13 billion in foodstuffs, this year it is 19 billion - so it's extraordinary, impressive outcomes and results in the export of foodstuffs, including beef".

Micheál Martin added: "We export beef and Irish food to 75 countries around the world.

"Don't try and drag down a good organisation. Don't try and drag it down.

"Let's not go for this populous, very low level activity and let's not all go like herd instincts, just 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

The Taoiseach also told the Dáil that Bord Bia was one of the "better state agencies."

"Our food companies which are global and 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," he told Deputy McDonald.

In response the Sinn Féin leader said she had "obviously hit a bit nerve" with the Taoiseach in relation to Bord Bia and its chair.

She told the Dáil that she remains convinced that a chair of Bord Bia whose company sources beef from Brazil "stands on credible ground".