Food Safety

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 May 2012

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Ceisteanna (34)

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

28 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the progress, if any, he has made with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in the North (details supplied), regarding the development of the role of Safefood and the Food Safety Promotion Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24211/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly)

To explore the scope for greater efficiencies and to eliminate waste, both my Department and our counterparts in Northern Ireland are conducting reviews on the roles and responsibilities of organisations working in the food safety, diet and nutrition areas in our respective jurisdictions. These will help clarify the role to be undertaken by Food Safety Promotion Board (FSPB) and will inform our consideration of their Business Plan. It is expected that the DHSSPS review will be completed by end-June 2012 with my Department's review to be completed soon after. It has been agreed that approval of FSPB's Business Plan should await the outcome of these reviews and that they be brought to the North-South Ministerial Council for approval at the earliest opportunity thereafter.