171 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the different working groups, review groups, expert groups, commissions, interdepartmental working groups and various fora established by him since entering office in 1997. [30443/01]

172 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the different reports commissioned and published by him since the Government entered office in 1997. [30444/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.

The sheepmeat forum was established in February 1998. Its terms of reference were to evaluate the future direction of the sheepmeat sector and to assess how the industry can address existing constraints and future challenges. The forum issued its report and recommendations in October 1999.

The food industry development group was established in 1998 for the purpose of formulating an action plan for the food industry in the context of a strategic approach to the future use of national and Structural Funds for the industry. The group issued its report in December 1998.

The beef task force was established in November 1998 in order to devise an action plan for the development of the beef industry covering the whole sector from primary production through to processing and marketing with a view to enabling the sector to overcome the obstacles impeding its development and to generate better returns from the markets. The task force issued its report and recommendations in June 1999.