Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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433. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to change technical files (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17367/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The technical files for each of the Geographical Indication (GI) Spirit Drinks (Irish Whiskey/Uisce Beatha Eireannach/Irish Whisky, Irish Cream and Irish Poteen/Irish Poitín) have, as of the 27th March 2019, been confirmed by the European Commission as meeting the required conditions laid down in Article 15(1) of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks. This process involved a lengthy assessment and examination by the European Commission Services since their submission in 2014. There is currently no proposal to review the technical files.

My Department, working with other State agencies involved (Revenue, FSAI & HSE) in the verification controls of the production of the GI Spirit Drinks as required under Regulation 110/2008, reviews, on an on-going basis, the GI controls system, which in turn is audited by the EU Commission.

The Department’s Crop Variety Evaluation section conduct specific malting barley variety trials to evaluate new barley varieties with potential for use in production of malt for use by Irish brewers and distillers. Both agronomic suitability for growing under Irish growing conditions and malting performance are considered by maltsters, before a variety is chosen.