William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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250. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason public consultation for the Irish whiskey technical file has not yet opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66328/25]

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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251. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the Irish whiskey technical file does not currently require the use of Irish grain in the production of Irish whiskey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66329/25]

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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252. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will guarantee that the Irish whiskey technical file will be amended to ensure that only Irish grain is used in the production of Irish whiskey, in line with the stance of US and English whiskey producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66330/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 250, 251 and 252 together.

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. This detailed examination includes an assessment on how to progress with any of proposed amendments. Some amendments may be deemed ‘standard’ national amendments, with others considered ‘Union’ amendments which must be submitted to the EU Commission for consideration. It is expected that the public consultation will commence in early 2026 and will last for a period of two months