John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the current priorities under the food institutional research programme. [26169/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As provided in the National Development Plan 2000-2006, the main objectives of the food institutional research measure, FIRM, are to provide a base of information and expertise in generic technologies that supports innovation and product development in the food industry, and assists consumer protection by ensuring that product development is underpinned by attention to food safety and quality. General calls in 2000 and 2004 and a targeted call in 2001 covered: development of technologies to build a more competitive, innovative, consumer-focused and sustainable food production and marketing sector; development of the scientific knowledge to underpin effective food safety practices at all stages in the food chain; consumer foods technology; innovation in functional foods; cheese diversification; production of new food ingredients; nutrition; and new technologies for added-value meat products.

The most recent call, which closed in May 2005, prioritised proposals under food safety and beverages themes as it was considered that these areas offered good potential for research, which would advance the objectives of the measure.