The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, appears to have ruled out the appointment of Mr Larry Goodman to the task force being set up to restructure the beef industry.
Responding to weekend reports that Mr Goodman would be appointed, he said yesterday the Irish Meat Association, which represents the meat factories, would be represented on the group by a current officer.
His comments came as Department of Agriculture officials meet representatives of Enterprise Ireland today to decide the make-up of the task force.
Meanwhile, senior Progressive Democrat sources said the party sought and received "firm assurances" from the Department that Mr Goodman would not be appointed, following a Sunday In- dependent report that the Government would invite him to take part. The PDs would "strenuously resist" any attempt to appoint Mr Goodman, the sources added.
Also speaking last night, a Department spokesman said it was envisaged that the chairmen and chief executives of various interested groups, including the Irish Meat Association, would be invited on to the task force. "Mr Goodman is not chairman or chief executive of the IMA," the spokesman said.
He added that invitations would issue very quickly after today's meeting, and said the Minister was determined the group would have its inaugural session within 10 days.
