Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of officers dedicated to the inspection of catering outlets to check for compliance with labelling regulations for beef; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41471/06]

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that there are sufficient inspectors to deal with the level of inspection required to monitor the beef labelling regulations at catering level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41475/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 155 together.

The implementation of the Health (Country of Origin of Beef) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 307 of 2006) is a matter for the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). There are over 44,000 food businesses in Ireland of which 29,000 are in the service sector — including restaurants, hotels and public houses. These are inspected on a routine basis by Environmental Health Officers of the Health Service Executive (HSE) operating under a service contract with the FSAI.

Approximately 400 Environmental Health Officers are involved in food control in the HSE. I am advised that the number of inspectors and level of inspection required to implement these regulations is sufficient.