Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)

I agree with the Minister of State in his statement that surveys and opinion polls can be grossly inaccurate. Of course, it depends on which one a person feels should be listened to most carefully.

In those surveys there were a number of high profile restaurants where people acknowledged the issue. They were interviewed on the matter, and it was not just part of the general survey. Some of them were not aware of the regulations, more were indifferent and some decided they had a better idea themselves. They had certificates and invited customers into the kitchen to view them to confirm the origin of the beef. Is there a need for another consultation or information programme to bring these people up to speed? That might be useful.

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