Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Everyone is conscious that significant problems are coming at us because of Brexit. I would like to focus on the issue of protected geographical indication. Every whiskey that is produced on the island of Ireland is designated as "Irish whiskey". After Brexit, it will no longer be possible to call Bushmills "Irish whiskey". This will have an impact on all the other products that are called "Irish whiskey". The system of protected geographical indication is governed by an EU directive. When the UK leaves the EU, all the products in Ireland that come under that directive will be affected because it will no longer be the case that the entire island is in the EU. The Government needs to focus on this issue, which will have a particular impact on the spirits industry. We need to be conscious of the need to protect this huge growth industry.

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