Vol. 490 No. 1
27 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the Fingal Spring Food Festival currently taking place in a venue (details supplied) which is promoting internationally renowned restaurants in Fingal and organic food in the area; and if he has a message of support for such a festival. [9416/98]
I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to compliment the five Eurotoque chefs in Fingal who organise this annual event.
The success of the event clearly shows that chefs and the restaurant industry in general have had a major influence in creating demand for high quality food products. This in turn has made an enormous contribution to the development of an innovative sophisticated food industry. The local chefs are demonstrating how their local food products can be used creatively and imaginatively.
This local initiative is a credit to the organisers and I am pleased that Bord Bia which supported it last year, has done so again in 1998.
