Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm that Safefood will be afforded the opportunity to fully participate, along with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Health Service Executive, in the current review of the role of Safefood, in line with the approach taken in Northern Ireland; if he will outline the details of Safefood's involvement in the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46149/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland (DHSSPS NI) has reviewed the roles and responsibilities of organisations working in the food safety, diet and nutrition areas in order to help identify the scope for greater efficiencies. My Department has now been forwarded a copy of this review which was finalised yesterday (22 October 2012). In preparing this review, the DHSSPS NI consulted with the main stakeholders involved in the sector, including the Food Safety Promotion Board (Safefood). My Department will undertake a similar review in this jurisdiction. It will take account of the outcome of the DHSSPS NI review and will be concluded shortly, once the views of the Food Safety Promotion Board have been taken into account.

The Food Safety Promotion Board will be given the opportunity to participate in my Department's review along with the other stakeholders referred to by the Deputy. We intend to provide the Food Safety Promotion Board with details of the other participant's views (including those of the DHSSPS NI) and to invite them to provide their own views on this basis.