Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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232. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when protected geographical indication (PGI) status will be approved in respect of boxty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16136/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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For a geographical indication to be registered, an application must follow the procedures set out in the relevant EU regulations, with steps at both at national and European level. At the national level, my Department is responsible for examining applications to ensure that they meet the conditions of the relevant EU regulations.

My Department has had extensive engagement with the applicant in this case to ensure that the regulatory requirements are met. My Department is in ongoing contact with the applicant in the context of the assessment of the application by my Department and matters arising from this.

Once it is considered that the regulatory requirements are fulfilled and all outstanding matters resolved, the application may proceed to the national opposition procedure which allows anyone in Ireland having a legitimate interest to lodge an opposition to the application. Following assessment of any oppositions received, if my Department considers that the regulatory requirements are met, it may submit the application to the European Commission.

Applications will then be scrutinised by the European Commission and if deemed appropriate by the Commission, an opposition procedure at Member State/Third country level will be undertaken. The final decision on whether the geographical indication is approved is made by the Commission.