Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

It was Socrates who said that we should eat to live and not live to eat. Herein lies our predicament. The food industry is worth almost €20 billion per annum. At minimum, we must have safe food. The role of the Food Safety Authority and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is to pursue this objective. An unpublished Food Safety Authority report suggests the organisation has turned a blind eye — perhaps "averted its gaze" is a more appropriate description — to the issue of food labelling and traceability.

Ordinary people, whether they have dinner at 1 p.m. or 6 p.m., eat a home-cooked meal or purchase food in a restaurant or on their way from work, must have confidence that the food they eat is safe. Senators on all sides of the political divide agree on the need to protect consumers and address the misinformation in food labelling and food safety. In a fine contribution, Senator O'Sullivan discussed in detail the whole issue of food.

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Mary Coughlan, must take a strong stance on Brazilian beef. Irish farmers and consumers should be told that the European Union, particularly Ireland, will not become a haven for Brazilian beef. For how much longer can we tolerate the current position? I attended an IFA briefing on Brazilian beef imports. The association is not scare-mongering and it is clear we have reached the point at which we can go no further. I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher, to vigorously pursue this matter with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. We must have confidence in food.

The Fine Gael Party proposed the establishment of a single food label for all Irish products which, I understand, would be known as "Green Ireland". Such an initiative would increase brand recognition of Irish products abroad. Senator Ned O'Sullivan referred to Irish beef being sold in restaurants here. We should be proud to market Irish food on international markets. Senator Bradford referred to food miles. The global market has become a global village. We need to have a single, simple recognisable brand for all Irish foods. I accept, however, that considerable efforts are being made in this area.

European Union regulations do not always take cognisance of local conditions pertaining to food. I concur with Senators O'Toole and O'Sullivan on the issue of vegetables. Some years ago, Dinny and his free range eggs in the television programme, "Glenroe", highlighted the fact that we must examine how to produce good food and offer choice in the home market. Many large retail outlets do not use Irish vegetables or meat.

I concur with the Minister of State regarding health promotion. The food pyramid idea should be used in schools in educating young people, but we are being disingenuous at one level. The Department does considerable marketing work in respect of fresh food and healthy options, but the national healthy eating campaign is diluted by a lack of adequate physical education facilities and inadequate PE teacher staffing levels in many instances. Recently, I met a PE teacher in my constituency who has been qualified for four years or five years and cannot get a full-time job. Despite being serious about the campaign, we are taking away from the good work of the Department. In this respect, will the Minister of State discuss the provision of PE facilities with the Minister for Education and Science?

Will the Minister of State consider traceability? We must address the imbalance. If we are to promote nutritional food, we must ensure adequate traceability. A host of regulations on the clear labelling of meat and other foodstuffs imported from outside Europe are being introduced at EU level. These comprise a minimum prerequisite.

On the hazardous analysis and critical control points system in operation in every chain of supply, be it regarding fast food outlets or restaurants, I agree with Senator O'Sullivan concerning the provision of fast food at certain events. How adequately are these outlets policed by environmental health officers? Sometimes, we read court reports in newspapers telling of how some restaurants have been closed because they do not adhere to the structures, etc. In tandem with the Food Safety Authority, these closures inspire confidence, which Ireland needs. Our nation used to produce marvellous food. I do not comprehend why the clean, nutritious and healthy food produced in Ireland, as compared with other types of food, is not used in Irish restaurants in cities and towns everywhere.

I thank the Minister of State for attending the House and I commend him on his work. Much is being done, but there is more to be done. We are turning a blind eye in many respects. I look forward to the Minister of State's reply.