An Leas Chathaoirleach:

I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, to the House.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Tá sé an-ghnóthach faoi láthair ach táim buíoch de as teacht isteach leis an ábhar seo a phlé. Is dócha go léiríonn an mhíchinnteacht a bhaineann leis an rún seo nuair a chuir muid isteach é cén Aire a bheadh ag plé leis cuid den chúis a raibh muid ag iarraidh an cheist seo a chur maidir le bia GM nó genetically modified food. When we tabled this motion, we were confused as to whom it should be sent as it is not clear which Department has the remit for GM food because it crosses a number of different ministries. We need greater clarity and a more focused approach to genetically modified organisms.

Sinn Féin is of the view that the island of Ireland should be designated a GM-free zone. Given the importance we place on agriculture, and in particular on the agrifood industry, the reasons for this should be clear. Farmers are deeply concerned at the possibility of growing GM foods, as they fear the effect it may have on their crops. It would be extremely difficult to allow genetically modified organisms in part of the country, as it is difficult to control the dispersal of seeds through the air and GM seeds could have adverse effects on crops around the country. We call on the Government to work closely with its counterpart in the North.

Last year European Parliament voted to ensure that GMOs can be banned on the territory of individual member states on the basis of environmental and socio-economic criteria. Although I would have preferred to see a total ban, incorporating more criteria, such as health, this is certainly a step in the right direction. All the evidence shows that EU citizens do not want GM crops, and Ireland's reputation for high-quality and sustainably-produced food should not be jeopardised by its potential inability to ban GM production legally on the island. We should ensure that we as a member state take that step and ensure that GM foods do not take hold here or do not damage our reputation as a hub for the agrifood and organic food industries, two key areas for our industry. While the role of the North's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in relation to genetic modification is limited to the enforcement of European law controlling the import of animal feed stuffs and seed certification, nonetheless it is positive that the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Michelle O'Neill, is opposed to the growing of GM crops on the island of Ireland. Her predecessor, Michelle Gildernew, had discussed the issue of making the island of Ireland a GM free zone with both the former Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, and his then Minister of State, Trevor Sargent. Ms O'Neill will continue to raise this with issue with the Government.

While it may be the case that the EU has taken action on GM food and progress has been made, it is inadequate, however, and far more needs to be done before this country with its potential for high-quality food production decides to open itself up to GM. The facts are that there is little or no scientific evidence of the safety of GM food. Many questions remain to be answered. There is little or no evidence that GM crops increase agricultural productivity. Multinational corporations are attempting to control the entire food system by patenting GM seed. Those who propagate GM crops claim they do so to save the hungry poor of the world. This is a difficult contention to support. Certainly they are making a small number of people extremely wealthy, and building up a significant industry for themselves. There is enough international experience to show GM crops have not solved the problem of food supply and have the potential to damage other crops. Their promotion inhibits research into more traditional and natural solutions to the problems associated with crop growth, disease and wastage.

There has been speculation in the media that licences were being prepared for the trial cultivation of GM crops in this country. That is the nub of the question. Will the Minister clarify Government policy on GM foods and which Department is responsible? If licences have been issued, to whom have they been issued?

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Responsibility for matters relating to genetically modified organisms is spread across a number of Departments, as Senator Ó Clochartaigh has pointed out. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has responsibility for policy matters in relation to the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment and the contained use of GMOs. The Department of Health has responsibility for ensuring the safety of genetically modified food and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible for regulating the seed of certain species for marketing and cultivation, regulating animal feed that contains or is derived from authorised GM crops, developing a national strategy to ensure the coexistence of authorised GM crops with other crops and authorisation and control of marketing of pesticides for use on crops, including GM crops. Our legislation takes account of the common EU framework for assessment and control of GMOs, by which Ireland in common with all EU member states is bound. EU legislation on GMOs has been in place since the early 1990s. The deliberate release of GMOs is subject to the requirements of EU Directive 2001/18/EC. Under this directive, a community authorisation procedure is in place enabling the competent authority of each member state to contribute to the authorisation process. The Environmental Protection Agency is Ireland's competent authority in this respect. No cultivation of genetically modified crops, either commercially or for trial purposes, takes place in Ireland. Across the EU, only a small number of GMOs are authorised for cultivation. These include two types of genetically modified maize, known as MON810 and T25. A potato that is genetically modified for the production of starch was approved for cultivation in 2010, predominantly for use in the Nordic paper industries.

Members of the House may be aware that Teagasc recently sought a licence from the Environmental Protection Agency to undertake a series of field trial studies involving genetically modified potatoes. The potatoes in question, which are not approved for general cultivation in the EU, are resistant to potato late blight disease. The intention of the trial is to determine the potential impact of this technology on Irish ecosystems. The application will be subject to the terms of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2003. In accordance with these regulations, any entity that wishes to carry out a field trial or planting of a GMO crop must seek approval from the Environmental Protection Agency, as the competent authority under the regulations. Any future applications to develop or plant genetically modified crops will be assessed by the agency on a case-by-case basis under the requirements of the governing EU and national legislation. The determination of the licence application is a matter solely for the agency. Neither I nor my Department has any role in the matter. Indeed, we are precluded from involving ourselves in such applications.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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That was a comprehensive reply.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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As usual from the Minister.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I am sure it has satisfied Senator Ó Clochartaigh fully.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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Almost.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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An bhfuil ceist beag ag an Seanadóir?

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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I would like to ask a specific ceist. Could the Minister outline the Government's position on genetically modified foods? Is it in favour of them or against them? Will the Government agree to work towards the introduction of an island-wide ban on genetically modified foods?

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The policy of the Government is that it is against genetically modified foods. As I outlined in my reply, the Environmental Protection Agency assesses certain areas on a case-by-case basis. I refer to animal feeds, for example, or to a number of issues relating to potato blight. It is clear that for the most part, the policy of the Government is to oppose direct human consumption of genetically modified foods.