John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on the enforcement on the food labelling laws in view of their report to her Department of breaches in the law under her jurisdiction following an investigation of 90 food businesses completed in 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40477/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The enforcement of food labelling regulations is centralised in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), who ensure that the appropriate controls are carried out by the relevant official agencies. The official agencies include the Health Service Executive, my Department, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and the local authorities.

My Department is in touch with officials of the FSAI on an ongoing basis and regular meetings are held to discuss a wide range of issues. Any issues which arise in relation to the enforcement of food legislation, including enforcement of labelling legislation, are discussed where necessary, in this context.

As I indicated in replies to similar questions on the 27th June 06 and 17th October my Department received the elements of the FSAI report that referred specifically to processing plants that came within its remit. These related to 11 premises and were all minor breaches. My Department, to the satisfaction of the FSAI, addressed the issues identified by the FSAI audit.