Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2006
160 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the roll-out of fair trade products, particularly tea, coffee and sugar, in his Department’s offices and in the offices of its agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37726/06]
View answerMy Department's offices are spread over 8 separate buildings, none of which have cafeterias or restaurants. My Department has only a medium sized canteen in Davitt House and a very small canteen in Kildare Street. As already indicated in replies to recent questions on this matter, the tea, coffee, sugar and other products served in those two canteens are not confined to Fair Trade products. However, I can confirm that both canteens have introduced Fair Trade products for sale or are in the process of doing so. I have again asked that consideration be given to the enhanced sale of Fair Trade tea, coffee, sugar and other products in my Department's two small canteens.
As regards the agencies under the control of my Department, you may wish to know that last June my Department wrote to all of the agencies involved drawing attention to this issue and asking, on my behalf, that consideration be given to the enhanced sale of Fair Trade products in the canteens, cafeterias or restaurants of those agencies. The replies received by my Department indicate support for this initiative and the majority of the agencies involved have indicated that they have introduced Fair Trade tea, coffee, sugar and other products for sale in these canteens, cafeterias or restaurants or are in the process of doing so.
