Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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346. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the appropriateness of an appointment to the board of Safefood Ireland (details supplied); his views on whether this represents a conflict of interest in the context of Safefood Ireland progressing Ireland’s breastfeeding strategy in addition to the WHO’s recommendations on breastfeeding; if he will review this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32072/21]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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357. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32185/21]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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358. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the appointment of a person (details supplied) to an advisory role with Safe Food Ireland; his views on whether the appointment demonstrates a conflict of interest and is contradictory to the national policy of trying to promote and improve the uptake of breastfeeding; the basis for their appointment; his further views on the influence that such a person can have on the board in terms of promoting the use of infant formula above breastfeeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32186/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 346, 357 and 358 together.

The British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999 provides for the Food Safety Promotion Board/Safefood to have both an Advisory Board and an Advisory Committee.

Safefood Advisory Committee (SAC) members are selected by Safefood following a publicly advertised invitation for expressions of interest from suitably qualified professionals ?working in fields relevant to the organisation's aims. The SAC is drawn from a wide range of disciplines, including the food industry.

The role of the SAC is advisory. It meets on average twice a year and provides expert advice to Safefood when it considers new and emerging issues in the wider food environment. Members advise Safefood on food safety and healthy eating related issues within their own areas of professional expertise. They also advise on strategic and cost-effective communications mechanisms for fostering positive food safety across the food chain and healthy eating behaviours. The SAC provides Safefood’s in-house experts ?with different perspectives.

Appointees to the SAC must comply with the Code of Conduct for SAC members and disclose any information or personal connections which, if appointed, could lead to a real or perceived conflict of interest. Members of the SAC must comply with Safefood's corporate governance requirements dealing with the potential for a conflict of interest. Should conflicts of interest arise, the relevant member is required to highlight the potential conflict and must, in line with procedure, step back from any discussions on those issues as appropriate.

Safefood developed a code of practice for Advisory Board members and SAC members and procedures for conflict of interest is included.

SAC members act in a voluntary capacity and are there to bring their expertise to topics for discussion – they are not present to represent the views of their employer. Safefood advises that all SACs appointed to date have included food industry representatives.

The Department of Health and the HSE are responsible for breast-feeding policy in Ireland. Safefood is not responsible for breast-feeding policy. The HSE Breast-feeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan is the framework for progressing supports for breast-feeding in Ireland. Since its publication, the HSE has established the National Breast-feeding Implementation Group to progress relevant actions. A new Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes in public health services is in final draft and is due for implementation across all health services in 2021. In 2021, my Department made a significant investment towards implementing the Breast-feeding Action Plan. I recently announced additional funding to the HSE of €1.58 million to fund 24 additional lactation consultants, thereby providing support to every maternity unit in the country.