I support the amendment proposed by Deputy O'Rourke. I am pleased this legislation has finally come before the House. Some time has passed since the then Minister of State, Deputy Séamus Brennan, set out proposals to introduce this legislation which is needed to reassure consumers about the products they are purchasing, particularly in view of the recent BSE-CJD scare in the UK.
This Bill will give autonomy to the NSAI which is under the aegis of Forfás at present. The NSAI needs to be recognised as a separate entity, particularly in view of the certification awards it grants in the manufacturing and service industries. Ireland has always had high standards for its manufacturing and service industries. However, word of mouth is no longer acceptable and to maintain the high levels of support in the domestic and foreign markets, it is vital that the quality and safety of products be independently certified in line with recognised standards.
It is important that consumer interests are represented on the board of the NSAI. To date there has been no consumer input. Consumers form a significant part of the standards equation and their exclusion from the process must be addressed. The Minister must ensure a consumer input in the preparation and implementation of standards.
I am concerned about the policing of the marketplace with regard to this Bill. There is little point in introducing this legislation if the correct measures are not put in place to ensure the regulations are properly policed. Huge responsibilities have been placed on the Government by way of European regulations governing toy safety, medical products, protective clothing, energy consumption and electrical appliances. This Bill provides an opportunity to rationalise the involvement of many Departments and bring them into line with modern European practices. Therefore, it is important that the necessary steps are taken to ensure these European regulations are correctly policed by the combined efforts of the Garda, the Customs service and the NSAI.
The recent BSE scare in the UK has had serious repercussions for our beef industry. It is vital that the NSAI has standards in the processing of food in Ireland. What standards exist for food products, for the feeding of cattle pigs, poultry and other livestock or for the labelling of food products? Certain standards are relevant to the needs of the market and the consumer. Every consumer is entitled to have as much information as possible about the food he consumes particularly fresh meat, vegetables and fruit. The French have established an excellent system known as the red label system. This label guarantees the consumer the safety of the product being purchased. If one purchases meat under this system information is given about the farm on which the animal is reared, the breed of the animal, the type of feeding system used in production and the content of the feed used.
Certification is necessary for meat products because people are no longer satisfied with glib assurances about prime beef cuts. Beef production is vital to our economic well-being. A belt and braces food security policy is needed. Under this Bill we have an opportunity to establish a system such as the French have. Consumers should know the farm on which the animal was reared, the breed of the animal and the system of feeding used.
In France the farm of origin is indicated on poultry products; the stock is chosen for the quality of its meat; there must be specific open air space for farm raised poultry; guarantees must be given on the constituents of feed used; there are strict hygiene rules for the production and slaughter techniques; and, each bird must have a personalised identity tag. If we took similar measures we would have a food industry which would be the envy of the world. The Minister of State should consider these matters for Committee Stage.
The NSAI has a role to play in ensuring the highest standards of quality are achieved in our food industry. We should adopt a system similar to the French system to protect our industries. Unfortunately, having read this Bill closely, I cannot find any indication that the Minister is to take steps to introduce such a labelling system.
On the purchase of materials used in the development of public buildings, is the Minister of State aware that a considerable amount of imported products is being purchased by public authorities for the construction of public building? What control governs the safety of the products being purchased? Do public bodies purchase to recognised standards? These matters must be given serious consideration in view of the spending of public moneys. Is it proposed that the NSAI will have a role in preparing standards for these products which will ensure that quality products made in Ireland are purchased by our public authorities, given that it is European policy to have common standards?
Following the broad adoption by industry of the ISO 9000 quality standard, and the obvious benefits companies derive from its use, what role will the NSAI play in developing this standard in the public sector where it would undoubtedly provide a means for introducing cost savings and efficiency? What steps does the Minister of State propose to introduce the concept of ISO 9000 standards into Departments, State agencies, local authorities and county councils?
Members are aware of the importance of employment. It is widely recognised throughout Europe that a large number of jobs are created in small and medium sized enterprises and that growth must be encouraged in these areas. Small and medium sized businesses are already overburdened with red tape and it is important the Minister of State ensures that the NSAI takes the necessary steps to assist such businesses in coping with the new regulations contained in this Bill. Where a group of ten businesses comes together as a unit to obtain certification for their products, the overall cost to the group should be reduced by a reasonable amount. I intend to table an amendment in this regard on Committee Stage.
Bearing in mind the importance of standardisation and certification of industry in the regions, it is important that the NSAI have a regional presence and not be located solely in Dublin. What are the Minister of State's plans for providing a regional focus for imparting standards and information to industry and the consumer? Perhaps he will consider my proposal that an office be located in the Cork region where a high level of service and manufacturing industry operate. Since the Minister of State took office, I have appealed to him about the fact that the area of north Cork, small as it may be, has been absent from his agenda for decentralisation. There are many fine towns in east Cork which could benefit from the process of decentralisation. An opportunity now exists to locate an office in the Cork region because much of the industry there is located in the county towns. The Minister of State's political colleague from Cork city and I would be glad if he considered this matter.
Many people are aware of the ISO 9000 quality standard. The independent certification of Irish products is essential in order that companies can enter export markets and succeed in domestic sales strategies. Irish producers are aware of the commercial importance of having the quality and safety of their products certified in line with internationally recognised specifications. Consumers are also aware of this importance. As I stated earlier, our attention should be focused on the public sector and we should encourage the introduction of ISO 9000 standards to Departments, State agencies, local authorities and county councils. This would encourage the introduction of cost savings and greater efficiency in the public sector.
The Bill does not deal with the area of education. The importance of consumer standards should be introduced to the school curriculum so that children can appreciate and understand it from an early age.
The reconstituted NSAI will play a vital role, through independent product certification, in facilitating sustained economic and employment growth in the years ahead. It will provide a very important service to domestic manufacturers through efficient delivery of product certification and will set new standards, thereby enhancing the sales potential of Irish goods in the international marketplace. The establishment of the NSAI as an autonomous agency will enhance its reputation as an independent certification authority in line with those of other member states of the European Union. With its new designation, the NSAI will provide a world-class certification service to Irish industry. This is essential if we are to meet the new trading requirements of the European Union.
I welcome the Bill on behalf of Irish industry. It is important and necessary legislation. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State, in placing a worker representative on the board of the NSAI, has come around to the Fianna Fáil way of thinking. I recently tabled an amendment to the Irish Steel Bill aimed at putting a consultation process in place. The amendment was not accepted by the Minister of State but I believe he has learned from that and come around to my way of thinking in this area. It is never too late to change one's opinions.
There has been much discussion of the fact that local authorities are not efficient. The National Standards Authority, through ISO standards 9000 and 9002, has a way to measure efficiency and standards in general. It should be obligatory that local authorities and the public sector attempt to attain these standards which would measure their efficiency. Many businesses in the hotel and catering industry are presented with a plaque which denotes the fact that they are efficient and successful. For this reason, local authorities should be encouraged to participate.
Small firms will be the engine of job creation and enterprise in the future and must be encouraged to participate. Such participation will involve a cost factor. Earlier I suggested that ten firms of equal standard might be permitted to unite to qualify for the ISO 9000 on a group basis. This matter must be sympathetically considered. Perhaps a figure of ten companies is too large, but I am open to negotiation on that point.
When in Opposition one can table many good amendments and resolutions but the Government has the power to vote them down. I hope that a spirit of compromise will obtain on Committee Stage. I welcome the Bill and look forward to co-operating further with the Minister of State on Committee Stage. He may accept some of the amendments tabled by Fianna Fáil as he is coming around to my party's way of thinking. I have no doubt that he will accede to some of our requests.
