Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 8

Written Answers. - National Forum for Disease Eradication.

Brian Cowen

Question:

168 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the participants on the National Forum for Disease Eradication in view of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 128 of 28 March 1996; whether participants are represented directly on the Central Review Committee of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work; if not, the reason he has selected this criterion in relation to farmers representative bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7409/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The participants on the national forum are drawn from the following organisations Irish Farmers Association. Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, Macra na Feirme, Irish Veterinary Union, Irish Veterinary Association and the Veterinary Officers Association. In addition there are representatives from both the Department of Finance and my Department. The farming organisations referred to are represented directly on the Central Review Committee of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work while the IVU and VOA are associated with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions which is also a participant on the Central Review Committee. The IVA is the liaison body for the veterinary groups. I believe that the participants on the forum are sufficiently broadly based to represent the views of those involved in the eradication programme.