Vol. 510 No. 3
73 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if one of the 14 ordinary members appointed to An Bord Bia will represent the restaurant sector in view of the very important role of this sector in the food market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22169/99]
The criteria for appointment as an ordinary member of the board of An Bord Bia as set out in section 14 of the An Bord Bia Act are knowledge and experience of the food industry and of consumer requirements. This board is, therefore, non-vocational and comprises a membership which is representative of the whole food industry. An Bord Bia liaises closely and consults regularly with industry representative organisations, including restaurants. As well as this, industry representation and involvement in Bord Bia's activities is augmented by the two subsidiary boards, namely, the meat and livestock board and the consumer foods board. I am satisfied that the foodservice sector is comprehensively represented both at board level and in the marketing and promotional actives undertaken.
