Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on its 2004 report into breaches of food labelling laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41184/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The report that the Deputy is referring to is the "Report of the Food Safety of Authority of Ireland Audit to determine compliance with Labelling and Traceability Requirements". This was an internal report prepared by following a small scale audit undertaken by the Food Safety Authority (FSAI) in 2004, which drew attention to some deficiencies in traceability and labelling regimes.

The enforcement of food labelling legislation is included in the service contracts between the official agencies and the FSAI. The official agencies include the Health Service Executive, the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and the local authorities.

In discussions with my Department, the FSAI has confirmed that the official agencies were provided with a report on the premises under their supervision which were visited as part of the audit. Follow up action, by way of additional visits and inspections were undertaken, and I have been assured that the matters which required attention have now been rectified.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to ensure that country of origin labelling is clear and transparent to the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40467/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The general EU food labelling regulations covering all food sold in Ireland require that information be given clearly, accurately and in a language understood by the consumer. Among these requirements is origin marking in cases where failure to provide such information would be likely to mislead the consumer to a material degree.

My Department is in touch with officials of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) on an ongoing basis and regular meetings are held to discuss a wide range of issues — including labelling. Guidance is currently being prepared by the FSAI for enforcement officers and for the industry on these regulations and this will be published shortly.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on the enforcement of the food labelling laws; and ifshe will make a statement on the matter. [40497/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Officials in my Department liaise with officials of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (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 breaches of labelling legislation are discussed, where necessary.