I would like to go on the record with regard to the Irish breakfast we had this morning, sponsored by this committee and presided over by the Chairman. It will make people aware of the importance of the Irish food industry, particularly in the area of pork, bacon and eggs. The IFA president and other personalities were present and the breakfast will go a long way towards assuring people of the importance of the food industry, particularly following the recent crisis with regard to pork. It demonstrates our commitment and our sincerity with regard to the fact that pork products are a secure product quality wise and that there is nothing as good and healthy as an Irish rasher.
Business of Joint Committee.
I second that.
I agree, it is important. Rather than having a Christmas dinner or anything else, we had a Christmas breakfast, focused on the old-fashioned Irish breakfast of bacon, egg and sausage — the whole shebang. Not only was the breakfast a working meeting with the IFA president, the retiring general secretary, the chairperson of the Pigs and Bacon Commission and the PRO of the IFA, it was also a very interesting exchange. We had a useful exchange of ideas for approximately an hour and a half. One of the issues we focused on was the need to identify clearly country of origin. We will focus on other issues, such as traceability also. We agreed that Bord Bia, under Aidan Cotter, acted positively and proactively.
It was important we had this breakfast discussion. As a result, we are asking the IFA to make a submission that will contribute to our retail studies. We will also ask them to make a presentation on the processing, production and retailing of food and to deal with the country of origin issue. We want specific submissions in that regard for our ongoing study.
The media may not be aware of this, but we are back in committee on 7 January and will work right through the month of January, including North-South visits. This information is available, but sometimes our meetings get no media exposure. I suppose it is easier to say that we down tools on Friday, 19 December and that makes more headlines than the fact we are back in early January. This committee should be proud of its role and should, perhaps, release the full work programme undertaken this year to the media, including being in Cappoquin in January and being in Thurles, Youghal, Mallow and Fermoy and other areas throughout the country.
Do not forget to get to Navan.
In July, when we were supposed to be on holiday, we went to Navan. We also went to Gorey and Athy. We went to many towns. I want to thank, in particular, the The Irish Times journalists who travelled with us to some of those meetings and reported on them. That goes to show what could be said to the many people who presume we were idle since the first week of July. This committee worked throughout most of July and returned to work in September. We will also be back in early January. The committee makes a significant difference, despite some of the glib comments made that committees are not effective or doing any work.
I wish to make a final comment on the country of origin issue. It emerged this morning and in previous debates at this committee and in the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that this is a significant issue for the European Commissioner with responsibility for consumer rights. We must tackle the matter not just at national level, but also at European level so that all countries within the European family ensure the country of origin label is clear and visible and that it is and honest and open labelling system.
In that context we intend as a committee to see the Commissioner in this regard, although it will cost money.
As this is the last meeting of 2008, I wish everyone a happy Christmas and new year. We need to relax after an eventful year and a busy schedule. I thank all members for their contributions and work on the committee during 2008. We have done a lot this year and can be proud of our achievements.
I also thank the staff of the secretariat for their hard work, commitment and efficiency. They kept us going with plenty of notices, information and appointments. Along with all members of the committee, I am very grateful for their work as public servants.
The joint committee adjourned at noon until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, 7 January 2009.