Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
2013. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are proposals to amend the Irish whiskey technical file; if so, the proposals for same; if it is planned to amend the regulations on barrel use; if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by some producers that this will stifle innovation in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2291/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that requests have been submitted to my Department seeking various amendments to the Irish Whiskey Product Specification (formerly known as the Technical File) pursuant to Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No. 2019/787 (Spirit Drinks Regulation).
The existing Irish Whiskey Product Specification was subject to rigorous scrutiny by my Department and subsequently by the European Commission prior to its approval by the European Union in the Register of Geographical Indications.
Any amendments to the Product Specification must undergo detailed scrutiny to assess compliance with the EU rules for Geographical Indications and spirit drinks and will also require consultation with stakeholders.
The Deputy will be aware that the Geographical Indication for Irish Whiskey was registered on an all-island basis and that the UK's Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs [‘DEFRA’] is the Competent Authority for the Geographical Indication in Northern Ireland. In this regard, my Department is in consultation with its counterparts in Northern Ireland and DEFRA in relation to the requests for amendments and arrangements for consultation with stakeholders.
Any proposed amendments will be subject to a public consultation by my Department in due course, thereby providing all stakeholders with the opportunity to submit views.
