Willie Penrose
Question:95 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will introduce a licensing system for all food services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14070/01]
Written Answers. - Food Service Licensing.
While a licensing system for all food services and catering facilities does not exist in Ireland there is an effective system of registration of such premises.
The Food Hygiene Regulations 1950-89, which were enacted under the Health Act 1947, and which set out statutory requirements in relation to food hygiene and food premises, currently provide for the registration of the following seven classes of food premises: hotels, and holiday camps; restaurants; butchers and pork butchers; wholesalers; poulterers and fishmongers; manufacturers; takeaways.
Registration of these classes of food premises is contingent on the premises meeting the hygiene standards set out in the regulations. The regulations also allow for the annual licensing of certain types of food stalls, and a permit system for premises used on an occasional basis for the operation of a food business.
The regulations are enforced by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, a statutory, independent and science-based body, overseeing all functions relating to the food safety regulation of the food industry. The FSAI took over responsibility for the enforcement of all food safety legislation in July 1999. This responsibility is discharged by means of service contracts with the agencies, which prior to the establishment of the FSAI were responsible for food control. Each service contract includes details on the work that the official agency undertakes on behalf of the FSAI, to ensure compliance with and the enforcement of food safety legislation.
As the Food Hygiene Regulations 1950-1989 have been superseded to a significant degree by European legislation, my Department is currently revising these regulations. In this regard the question of the introduction of a licencing system for food premises will be considered.