Vol. 449 No. 3
1 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his policy for developing the food industry is consistent with the abolition of the office of food which was set up in 1987 and which has been instrumental in bringing the required focus to the building of a competitive food industry in Ireland. [3494/95]
There has been no diminution of ministerial responsibility for food and I can assure the Deputy that both my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan and I will take a very active role in the development of the sector. The present position is that both I and the Minister of State share responsibility for food and the food division of my Department remains in operation.
Agriculture and food are synonymous.For that reason I regard the development of the food industry as my highest priority. This priority position of the food industry underlies the new and intensified focus on food set out in the sub-programme for the food industry which I launched on 14 February 1995. Both the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, and I will be taking a keen personal interest in the implementation of the sub-programme.
In addition, I have established a management unit under the direct supervision of the Secretary of my Department.The function of that unit will be to monitor the sub-programme and to ensure that there is full co-ordination and synergy between all the State agencies involved with the food industry. The new unit will strengthen considerably the administrative arrangements within my Department, and between it and the agencies, for the development of the food industry.
The question asks the Minister to explain if his policy for developing the food industry is consistent with the abolition of the office of food. The Minister will be aware of widespread concern within the industry that despite the increase from 15 to 17 Minister of State under the new Administration only one has been appointed to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. While I do not question the commitment of any Minister of State appointed to the Department will the Minister agree that concern is well founded in that there is only one person at political level to assist him in his wide ranging responsibilities?Can he explain that decision by the Taoiseach?
I have every confidence in the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, being able to take on ample responsibilities.He will deal not only with monitoring the sub-programme but with An Bord Bia, rural development, horticulture, greyhounds and so on. I have every confidence that both he and I, who are of an age and disposition, might do the work of at least three or, perhaps, four people. I have not detected any such concern in the food industry. I got a very positive response from the top producers and processors who were represented in Dublin Castle earlier this week at the launch of the sub-programme for the food industry. I wish to assure the Deputy that simply because there is one Minister of State does not mean there is any diminution of ministerial responsibility. The offices of horticulture and food were not established on a statutory basis.
I am aware of that. Obviously the Minister should not be surprised if people are not expressing their concern to him directly. I assure him there is widespread disappointment that there is only one Minister of State in his Department as a result of the changeover, given that the two former Ministers of State had been so successful.The Minister referred to the launch of the sub-programme for the food industry in Dublin Castle during the week. Unfortunately, my invitation must have gone astray in the post. When does the Minister expect to have a competitive food industry if its development is not under the aegis of one Minister? Can he explain whether the management unit under the supervision of the secretary of the Department, is the food division to which he has referred?
No, the purpose of the sub-programme is to integrate the work of An Bord Bia, Teagasc and Forbairt with that of the Department. An Bord Bia will be the eyes and ears of the food industry and ensure that research is market and product led. That is the reason for establishing the management unit. The development of the food industry is my number one priority. We have set ambitious targets to increase output from £8 billion to £12 billion and to try to create an extra 5,000 jobs by the turn of the century. At ministerial level a new initiative is to try to get a key international food event in 1996 where we would have Irish seafood, dairy food, red and white meat, etc. all under the one roof. We have many PLC companies doing a brilliant job abroad. Our aim is to have a massive food exhibition, a trade fair to reinforce the message of quality, high animal health status, the green image and so on, to attract people from abroad. This is an area in which An Bord Bia and the entire management unit will work. I do not want to be judged on offices and structures but on policy implementation. In fairness I am happy to be judged on achievements.
I want to get to other questions. Let us not forget the time factor involved in dealing with priority questions. A brief and relevant question, Deputy.
In relation to the operational programme will the Minister confirm, if the policy, as enunciated by him, was that set down by his predecessor?
The figures were agreed between the Commission and my predecessor.I have taken a number of new initiatives. I want to promote scale in food processing. There is a case for mergers and amalgamations and scale will give the platform for greater investment in new product development, innovation and a new marketing initiative in this event. Each of the State agencies An Bord Bia, Teagasc, Forbairt and so on will present five year development plans between now and May. They will build on the existing strengths of the industry. The overall figures were agreed by my predecessor and the Commission.
Question No. 2, please.
