Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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2012. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position of his Department on the proposed registration by an association (details supplied) of Irish whiskey in the United States of America as a certification mark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2290/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is aware that the association named has applied to register 'Irish Whiskey' as a certification mark in the United States under the US Trademark Act. 

My Department is also aware that an opposition to the application has been submitted to the US Authorities; and that a time extension for the opponent to submit grounds of opposition has been extended to March 2022.

Officials from my Department have met with both parties in recent weeks. I am advised that the opponent and the applicant are currently engaged in discussions on the matter, and I hope that those discussions will result in a positive outcome for the parties involved and for other stakeholders. 

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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2013. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are proposals to amend the Irish whiskey technical file; if so, the proposals for same; if it is planned to amend the regulations on barrel use; if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by some producers that this will stifle innovation in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2291/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that requests have been submitted to my Department seeking various amendments to the Irish Whiskey Product Specification (formerly known as the Technical File) pursuant to Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No. 2019/787 (Spirit Drinks Regulation).  

The existing Irish Whiskey Product Specification was subject to rigorous scrutiny by my Department and subsequently by the European Commission prior to its approval by the European Union in the Register of Geographical Indications. 

Any amendments to the Product Specification must undergo detailed scrutiny to assess compliance with the EU rules for Geographical Indications and spirit drinks and will also require consultation with stakeholders.

The Deputy will be aware that the Geographical Indication for Irish Whiskey was registered on an all-island basis and that the UK's Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs [‘DEFRA’] is the Competent Authority for the Geographical Indication in Northern Ireland.  In this regard, my Department is in consultation with its counterparts in Northern Ireland and DEFRA in relation to the requests for amendments and arrangements for consultation with stakeholders. 

Any proposed amendments will be subject to a public consultation by my Department in due course, thereby providing all stakeholders with the opportunity to submit views.