Vol. 561 No. 3
12 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the considerable concerns which have been expressed on his proposal to amalgamate An Bord Bia and Bord Glas; if this proposal is mainly based on a cost-cutting policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3884/03]
In announcing details of the 2003 Estimate for my Department, I expressed the view that it is now opportune to consider the possible advantages that might accrue from the amalgamation of Bord Bia and Bord Glas. The matter is under examination and we have had meetings with the chairman, some members of the board and staff of Bord Glas. I indicated that the concerns expressed would be taken into account in the details of the amalgamation under consideration in the Department.
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Bord Glas was set up by Deputy Kirk approximately ten years ago. Does the Minister of State agree that it has done a good job in the meantime? Does he agree that there is a danger it could lose its uniqueness if subsumed into Bord Bia? I know people have made representations to the Minister for Agriculture and Food in his constituency expressing concern over this matter. The issue is close to the heart of my colleague, Deputy Jim O'Keeffe. Will the Minister of State tell me if Bord Glas will definitely amalgamate with Bord Bia? Is he concerned that the ethos of Bord Glas might be lost if it does? If the amalgamation is to go ahead, when will it take place?
It is important to recognise that when Bord Bia was established initially, much consideration was given to the feasibility of amalgamation and to ensuring that it was linked to, and part of, the Bord Glas structure. There were different points of view and ultimately a decision was taken to form a separate board. However, the export responsibility of Bord Glas at the time was given to Bord Bia, and that responsibility still rests with the latter.
I remember going to Japan in 1990 to find three Irish State agencies promoting different parts of the country with maps of Ireland with black spots over different areas for which they did not have functional responsibility. I felt that was a disaster and I remember coming home and recommending that we should have one national promotion board for the country. Had I got my way, I would have amalgamated the former Irish Trade Board, Bord Bia, Bord Glas, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Bord Fáilte in order to have one national board.
We have a massive public sector, a diplomatic service right across the world and other ancillary organisations carrying out similar functions. There is a considerable replication of valuable State resources and we will take this into account. The Deputy can be certain that any decision taken will be taken by Government. Legislation will be necessary and every Member of the House will get an opportunity, individually and collectively, to make a significant contribution to the final decision.
The taking of powers away from the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, is a wise decision.
I thought the Minister of State was going to add Bord na Móna to his list.
I am concerned about the different roles and responsibilities of the two boards. Bord Bia, as the Minister of State rightly pointed out, always had a promotional role in terms of the export of horticultural produce. I understand the horticulture market is relatively small and that Bord Glas has particular responsibility for the development of horticultural produce as native produce, not necessarily for export, and that this significant developmental role might be lost or subsumed within Bord Bia. Will the Minister of State comment on that?
In response to Deputies Timmins and Upton, I am highly impressed by the contribution made by Bord Glas since it was set up. It is a small operation, consisting of 11 board members and 12 staff members. We have to take into account the role it has played, the future of the industry, the sectors it represents, the link that exists with Bord Bia and the opportunities that exist. We are certain that any change in the structure will involve a clearly defined place for the operations of Bord Glas as they exist today and have done for the past ten years. Any proposal that comes before Government, and ultimately into the House by way of legislation, will involve clearly defined roles for both boards. We are confident that rationalisation and amalgamation will bring new expertise, focus and extra resources, thus ensuring that we get the best of both worlds in the proposed new structure.
