(Limerick East): As is the case with semi-State bodies generally, day to day matters relating to the recruitment and employment of staff by the Food Safety Authority will be an executive function of that body and not a matter in which I, as Minister, have a direct function. I assure the Deputy that the legislation being drafted by my Department provides that the authority will have a complement of staff — technical, professional and administrative — reflecting the range of disciplines relevant to the areas in which the authority will have competence. The authority will also have the capacity to engage consultants and or contract out work, if appropriate.
As regards its progress on recruitment, I understand the interim board, which I appointed in November pending enactment of the legislation, has recruited two staff on a temporary, contract basis — a part-time acting chief executive and a secretary. The post of full-time chief executive of the authority has been advertised by the interim board in the news media and interviews for the position have taken place. The authority will undertake recruitment to other positions at a later date. With regard to funding for the authority. I refer the Deputy to my speech to the House during the budget debate in which I indicated that provision of £1.5 million is being made for the board to enable it to carry out its work programme for 1997.
I assure Deputies that the Government is fully committed to processing the legislation on this matter and it is at an advanced stage in my Department. I have already announced the functions of the authority, which are broadly fourfold. First, the authority will be charged with identifying and, where necessary, having supplemented, the legally binding standards and criteria relevant to food safety and hygiene and to have these published and recognised as enforceable by the authority. Second, it will carry out audits and other related inspections to determine the effectiveness of the systems and the level of enforcement and compliance by the primary control agencies with the recognised, legally binding standards. It will publish reports of such audits and inspections. Third, the authority, in subsuming the role and functions of the current Food Safety Advisory Board, will act as a major source of advice to me and to other Ministers on food safety and other matters relating to food. Finally, it is envisaged that the authority will carry out a range of other functions relating to data collection, research and the co-ordination of services.
The board of the authority will be, essentially, a management board which will be responsible for the performance of the functions of the authority. The board will appoint a scientific committee — a body of experts with qualifications and experience in the various fields relevant to matters of food safety and hygiene. The primary function of the scientific committee will be to advise the board on the scientific and technical aspects of food related questions. The existence of the scientific committee and the importance which will attach to it in the legislation will ensure that decisions of the board on matters of food safety and hygiene are underpinned by a sound scientific basis.
To carry out its functions, in particular, its audits and inspections, the authority and its staff will be given extensive powers, including powers of entry, powers to take samples and seize documents and powers to close premises and to order the withdrawal of products. The authority will also have extensive powers of prosecution both in relation to deficiencies which it identifies during its audits and for obstruction in carrying out its duties.
These comprehensive proposals will meet the demand for a body sufficiently independent and powerful to verify the standards of good practice throughout the food industry in the area of food safety and hygiene. As framed, the proposals allow for maximum flexibility and ensure that within the precepts of public accountability, the authority will be independent in the discharge of its functions.