Vol. 435 No. 2
32 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the progress, if any, that has been made in relation to the implementation by his Department of the recommendations of the Culliton report in relation to export agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Deputy will be aware that, in May of this year, my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment announced the Government's decisions on the Moriarty Task Force recommendations in relation to the Culliton report, including the decision to establish Forfás, Forbairt and IDA Ireland.
The subsequent Industrial Development Act, 1993, defined the role of Forfás in relation to An Bord Tráchtála — ABT — as follows: "to advise on the development and co-ordination of policy for Forbairt, IDA, ABT and such other bodies as the Minister may designate". As heretofore, I, as Minister for Tourism and Trade, continue to be responsible for, and give policy direction to, ABT.
In relation to food exports, my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry has announced the establishment of An Bord Bia, which will be responsible for that sector. It is envisaged that An Bord Bia will have the same links to Forfás and ABT.
To further ensure that there is absolutely no wasteful duplication in the State's export promotion efforts, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry is drafting the legislation, to establish An Bord Bia, in consultation with me. Our common objective will be to produce a State agency structure which will best assist the food industry to maximise its contribution to the economy in terms of wealth creation, exports and jobs but which will do so on the basis of securing the best value for money for the State's investment in support and promotion.
