Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

Last month the Minister for Agriculture and Food was in the House to debate legislation to disband An Bord Glas. During that debate I asked him if he would take action in regard to the improper labelling of imported beef and salmon as Irish on the Irish market. I instanced for him an example of where food was being certified through one agent as Irish for Irish restaurants and hotels. This agent imports non-EU beef and salmon which are being promoted as Irish. Yesterday, a representative of the Food Safety Authority clearly indicated to a committee of the House that this was going on wholesale. I do not know why Bord Bia promotes Irish beef and salmon throughout Europe as quality products while at the same time, we are labelling imported beef and salmon as Irish. There is something wrong with that. The Minister subsequently wrote to me to say what I had said was incorrect but now another agency has verified it. It is important the Leader asks the Minister to come into the House to clearly indicate what is going on in the food industry.

Will the Leader request the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to indicate the progress he has made in regard to access to third level institutions for the disadvantaged? This time last year he indicated it was a priority. Today a report in The Irish Times indicates the educational apartheid in terms of access to certain institutions, namely, the universities in Dublin. It is important the Minister clearly outlines the new model of league table he has in mind.