Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 16 October 2024

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Geographical Indications for Craft and Industrial Products: Discussion

9:30 am

Mr. Muiris Kennedy:

The pilot programme was mentioned. We were working with and specifically picked two iconic brands. Donegal Tweed is one of those. It has not, as yet, got the registration. The legislation has not been approved. It is getting ready for setting up a structure, a producer group. With regard to these particular GIs, the designation is not owned by an individual; it is owned by the collective. Donegal Tweed, collectively, will own the PGI, not one individual weaver or whatever. It is preparing its structure and getting ready to make the formal application. To do that, you have to have an existing proper producer group. You have to have production protocols, which everybody has to follow. They have to be evaluated, monitored and controlled. It is in the process of doing that, which takes a considerable amount of time and effort but it hopes to be ready by the end of this year as one of the first applicants for the new scheme. Does that answer the Deputy's question?