Vol. 480 No. 2
201 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health the functions, if any, which will be carried out by the existing Food Safety Authority in view of the commitment in An Action Programme for the Millennium to establish a statutory independent food safety and quality authority; if he will proceed with the drafting of the legislation to put the existing Food Safety Authority on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13975/97]
In the light of the Government's concern to ensure the highest standards of food safety and quality, An Action Programme for the Millennium proposes the estabishment of a statutory, independent science based food safety and quality authority. Discussions are already under way between officials from my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to give effect to this commitment and I will make a statement on the matter once these discussions have been concluded. In the meantime I am reviewing, as a matter of priority, the position on the preparation of the legislation providing for the establishment of the authority.
