§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times since coming to office the Minister in the Northern Ireland Office responsible for agriculture has attended the EEC Council of Ministers, along with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in order to promote and protect the interests of Northern Ireland's agricultural industry.
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§ Mr. Giles ShawThe promotion and protection of the interests of Northern Ireland agriculture in the EEC are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. My right hon. Friend is always fully briefed on Northern Ireland agricultural matters. In addition, when there is a particular Northern Ireland interest at the Council of Ministers, my right hon. Friend is accompanied by a senior official from the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland.