Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 638: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the campaign to have Fairtrade products widely available and used; her views on the objectives of this campaign; and if she will endeavour to have such fair trade approved products used in her Department. [10565/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that Oxfam Ireland is actively involved in a campaign to make fairtrade products widely available within Ireland and has been successful in securing support from the major multiples here for its fair trade fortnight in March last. The decision to use any Fairtrade product by my Department would be subject to compliance with public procurement rules and it is a matter for the enterprises supplying services such as cafeteria services in the Department to make their own commercial decisions in sourcing their supplies. I am pleased the restaurant in Agriculture House, which is a private concern, took a decision some two years ago to stock Fairtrade coffee, one of the products highlighted by Oxfam in its campaign.