Dr Pat Upton, the Labour Party TD for Dublin South Central, has called on the new Government to make up its, mind about the future of the Food Safety Authority.
"That the Food Safety Authority should need to seek clarification of its role at this juncture is an insult to the Irish consumer. The consumer rightly expects protection from hazards such as BSE, the use of illegal growth promoters and the occurrence of deadly food poisoning such as E coli," he said.
Fianna Fail and the PDs were loud and long in their enthusiasm for food safety and consumer confidence while in opposition, and must realise that any doubts cast over the credibility or independence of the authority would generate anxiety for consumers, he said.