Vol. 476 No. 2
108 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment if he will accede to the Green Party, Comhaontas Glas, call for an oral hearing on the proposed field trials of genetically modified sugar beet in spring 1997 in counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Cork in view of the public concern over the proposed introduction of genetically modified foods to Ireland and Irish agriculture. [6708/97]
The determination of notifications for consent to conduct field trials of genetically modified plants is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency under the provisions of the Genetically Modified Organisms Regulations, 1994. The regulations, having regard to Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms, provide inter alia, for public notice to be given of all proposed field trials and for written representations from any person or body to be taken into consideration by the Environmental Protection Agency in determining notifications. There is no provision for oral hearings in such cases.
