Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2020
1014. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review and reform the systems in place for regulation of labelling on geographic indication, GI, spirit products. [26598/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is the Competent Authority in Ireland for Ireland's three spirit drink Geographic Indications (GIs) - Irish Whiskey, Irish Cream and Irish Poitín. My Department, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Health Service Executive share responsibility for verifying compliance with the legal requirements related to GI spirit drinks, including labelling. The HSE is responsible for general labelling requirements under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and currently performs GI labelling assessments, verifications and any required enforcement actions for Irish Whiskey and Poitín. My Department is responsible for the approval of GI labelling requirements for Irish Cream and consults with the HSE to clarify issues relating to general labelling requirements.
A Memorandum of Understanding and Protocol that is in place between all the Competent Authorities involved in the control of GI spirit drinks is currently being reviewed by my Department in consultation with the HSE, including the process for the regulation of labelling of all GI Spirit products. I expect the review to be completed shortly.
