40 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if the proposed national consumer liaison committee has been established; if the members of the committee have been selected; if there is a gender balance on the committee; the name of the chairperson; the outcome of meetings it has held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4959/02]

The Department's consumer liaison panel has been established and held its inaugural meeting on 7 February. I announced the membership of the panel on 8 January. The chairperson is Ms Mairead McGuinness and, including the chairperson, there is a total of five female members on the ten-member panel. The panel will meet on a regular basis to be briefed on Department activities across a wide range of food safety, environmental and agricultural policy issues of direct concern to consumers. It will provide input and feedback from the consumer perspective to the Department.