Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the decision to allow Teagasc to carry out the planning of genetically modified potato crops in County Carlow; if he will take into account the very serious concerns raised about these trials; if he will consider having the crop trials suspended pending a full public and political debate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17434/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Teagasc operates as a separate non-commercial semi state body under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with their own management structure and governing Authority. The Act establishing Teagasc confers on it principal functions in relation to the provision of education, advisory and research services to the agriculture sector. It is a matter for Teagasc to prioritise activities in the delivery of these services and to allocate its resources in accordance with these priorities. Ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act and I have no function with regard to the day-to-day operations of Teagasc.

Responsibility for issues relating to the cultivation of genetically modified crops, including GM trials, in Ireland rests with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan.