Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Independent)
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Question 617: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the European Commission has adopted proposals that aim to streamline and extend the rules pertaining to the registration of regional trade marks; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that Mitchelstown cheese may not be manufactured in Mitchelstown and Galtee bacon named after the local Galtee mountains is not of Irish origin and that this could be in breach of the EU regulations; and if she will take action in this regard as the situation is being abused. [33304/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As neither of the products listed by the Deputy is registered as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) or Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) under Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the Protection of Geographical Indications and Designations of Origin for Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs which is implemented in Ireland under Regulations entitled European Communities (Protection Of Geographical Indications and Designations of Origin For Agricultural Products And Foodstuffs) Regulations (S.1. No 704 of 2007), I have no statutory role in the matter.

I understand however that both names have been registered as trademarks under trademark law, which comes under the jurisdiction of my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Micheál Martin. I am bringing the matters raised to his attention.