Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

Amendment No. 63 is an amendment to section 54 of the Health Act 1947 which deals with regulations for the prevention of danger from food and drink. This new section is being inserted to allow for the making of regulations to extend the beef labelling regulations that exist at retail level under EU legislation. This is a requirement for information on the country of origin of beef to be provided to the consumer at the point of choice by establishments in the restaurant and catering sectors. These regulations will be made following consultations with the Minister for Agriculture and Food and will also be subject to EU approval.

The aim of the regulations is to ensure the consumer is properly informed while reinforcing the themes of quality and choice. The amendment will allow for the subsequent extension of the requirement to provide country of origin information on other meats such as poultry, pig and sheep meat. It is anticipated this initiative will commence at retail level and progress for all three meats to the restaurant and catering sectors in the same way as is planned for beef. However, this is not a straightforward matter and would involve considerable complexities. Such an extension would also require EU approval. The opportunity has been taken in the amendments to this section to increase the maximum fines for breaches of regulations made under section 54 of the Health Act 1947, including those on meat labelling, to €5,000 on summary conviction to bring them into line with current values.

Amendment No. 68 will amend the Long Title to include the Health Acts 1947 and 1970 and the Health (Amendment) Act 1994. The original Long Title referred to the Irish Medicines Board Act 1995, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and 1984 and the Clinical Trials Act 1987.