Vol. 431 No. 3
28 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his response to the recently published Report of the Expert Group on the Food Industry; if it is intended to implement the recommendations; his response to the minority report submitted therewith; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
35 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if any decisions have been made by the Government on the recommendations made in Chapter 4 of the Report of the Expert Group on the Food Industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
37 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the steps, if any, he is taking in the case of each proposal made by the Expert Group on the Food Industry.
59 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the steps, if any, he is taking in the case of each proposal made by the Expert Group on the Food Industry.
76 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if any decisions have been made by the Government on the recommendations made in Chapter 5 of the Report of the Expert Group on the Food Industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
88 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the steps, if any, he is taking in the case of each proposal made by the Expert Group on the Food Industry.
140 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the steps, if any, he is taking in the case of each proposal made by the Expert Group on the Food Industry.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 35, 37, 59, 76, 88 and 140 together. The report of the expert group on the food industry was received by me on 21 April. As I indicated at that time I regard the report as a milestone in the development of the Irish food industry and I believe that it will mark the beginning of a new and potentially very significant growth phase in the sector.
I have just completed a full examination of the detailed recommendations contained in the report, including those in the minority report submitted by one member of the expert group, and I will shortly submit my proposals on them to the Government. As Deputies will appreciate until this has been done it would be quite inappropriate for me to provide details of the specific actions which I am proposing in relation to all or any of the recommendations.
However I can say in relation to the recommendation for a Single Operational Programme for the Food Industry in the next round of Structural Funds that on the basis of the commitment given in this regard in the Programme for a Partnership Government my Department has already commenced work on the preparation of such a programme.
The Capital costs relating to decentralisation are a matter for the Office of Public Works. My Department is responsible for costs relating to furnishings, telecommunications etc., which were as follows in the case of the decentralisation to Cavan:
|
£ |
|
|
Furniture, Blinds, Carpets, etc. |
363,550 |
|
Phone System |
35,000 |
|
Transfer of Files and Computer Equipment |
16,500 |
|
Postal Equipment |
2,000 |
|
Ex-gratia Payments |
12,500 |
|
427,500 |
