Pressure on shipping space, bad weather and an increased demand has led to three airlifts of calves to Continental markets from Shannon airport.
More flights are expected to take place in the coming weeks as increased numbers become available for the lucrative veal trade, which has grown by more than 35 per cent this year.
Opposition TDs complained in the Dáil last week that not enough livestock carriers were being approved by the Department of Agriculture and Food.
Minister of State for Agriculture Brendan Smith said the department had recently approved a modification of a vessel to carry extra lorries so it would could take 21 livestock carriers rather than the 19 it can now.
Only one ship, Celtic Link, trades directly to the Continent. Passenger ferries between here, Britain and the Continent are reluctant to carry live cattle.
Mr Smith said the department had recently authorised the transport of cattle from Shannon and to date three consignments had been exported by this means. It was availed of due to bad weather at sea some weeks ago and helped to meet commitments abroad.
Up to March 19th, 43,844 live cattle were exported, he said, compared with 32,585 for the same period during 2005, representing an increase of 35 per cent.
Seymour Crawford, (FG) had complained that some weeks ago farmers could not export their calves to the Continent because there was no means to do so.