Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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127. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is examining a proposal requiring Irish grain to be used in the production of Irish whiskey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54916/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Irish Whiskey is a Geographical Indication registered with the European Commission and must be produced in accordance with the Irish Whiskey Technical File. The Irish Whiskey Technical File does not currently require the use of Irish Grain in the production of Irish Whiskey.

The process of amending the Irish Whiskey Technical File is currently underway and two submissions are being examined ahead of a public consultation process. While I do not want to prejudice that process, one of the issues to be examined is whether imposing a requirement to use of Irish Grain in the production of Irish Whiskey would be in accordance with EU Single Market principles.

However, there are no obstacles at present to prevent an operator from producing an Irish Whiskey product made solely of Irish Grains and declaring as such on the product label. I am aware of some such products which are already on the marketplace.

The tillage sector is an important and integral component of the Agri-food industry and is a sector that I want to see grow and develop. Adding value to Irish grain will be an integral part of growing and improving the economic sustainability of the tillage sector.