Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their constructive contributions on the discussion. We all need a little food every day and some of us probably have a little too much of it. Everyone has an interest in food safety and it was interesting to note the different angles from which Senators approached the debate and the variety of issues they addressed.

The importance of the food industry to the economy has been stressed by a number of speakers with whose analysis I fully agree. Due to time pressure I am not in a position to address individually obesity, food labelling, the use of additives and other issues raised by Senators but I undertake to respond to those who raised them in the coming days.

I am satisfied that the relevant statutory agency with responsibility for food safety control, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, acted rapidly and responsibly in the interests of consumers by providing full information and by working with other agencies in the food industry to ensure affected products were speedily removed from the market. There is, however, a need for vigilance with no room for complacency. I will be asking the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to conduct a review of how the Sudan Red 1 issue was handled to see what lessons can be learned. Such an exercise is important and, if necessary, changes can be put in place for the future.

Responsibility for food safety is shared across several Departments and agencies. The Department of Agriculture and Food is responsible for policy matters regarding food of animal origin, including meat labelling. The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is responsible for policy aspects of fishing and aquaculture. The Department of Health and Children has responsibility for food safety in retail and catering establishments and in plants manufacturing foods of non-animal origin.

In January 1999, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland was established as a statutory independent and science-based body, operating under the aegis of the Department of Health and Children. Its principal function is to take all reasonable steps to ensure food produced, distributed or marketed in the State meets the highest standards of food safety. It also ensures such food complies with food legislation and, where appropriate, with recognised codes of good practice. The authority carries out its enforcement functions through service contracts with official agencies. These contracts outline an agreed level in standard of food safety activity that agencies perform as agents of the authority. The authority has service contracts with county and city councils, the Health Service Executive, the Departments of Agriculture and Food, and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and the Marine Institute. In addition, the authority has memoranda of understanding in place with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and the Customs and Excise.

The structures in place have delivered a high level of consumer protection for the safety of food produced and marketed in the State. The timely and comprehensive response to the Sudan Red 1 problem showed the soundness of the systems. In this case, the origin of the problem was an affected consignment entering the EU, through the UK, in 2002, before the current EU controls were put in place in July 2003. The problem, therefore, predated the current controls and arose outside this jurisdiction. The food industry, at all levels, is highly regulated. The hazard analysis critical control point system is firmly embedded and the effectiveness of our food safety control measures are kept under ongoing review.