A report in The Irish Times today states that there have been seven vacancies on the board of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland for the past year. For some reason, the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, has not filled the vacancies despite 25 people applying for them. Last week, we had a serious debate here about horse meat or DNA in beefburgers. It is a grave issue with profound implications for the reputation of one of our major industries.

What legislation is that?

We learned today that the Food Safety Authority, which is responsible for protecting the public, could not even meet since last November because of the absence of a quorum. This is due to the incompetence of the Minister and his failure to appoint members to the board.

Sources are saying that there is a legislative proposal to subsume the Food Safety Authority back into the parent Department. As part of his policy, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, has outlined that this is the desired route. I am seeking the Taoiseach's response concerning proposed amendments to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act.

No. We are only dealing with promised legislation here.

Where does that stand now?

We cannot have a second Leaders' Questions debate.

I am talking about the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act.

What about it?

The promised amendments to that Act to subsume the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

Is there promised legislation in this area, Taoiseach?

I can confirm for Deputy Martin that the process of filling places on the board has practically been completed by the Minister. I would also make the point that it has no impact whatsoever on the day-to-day working of the FSAI which conducts its business.

So the board is irrelevant.

The board does not have an impact on the day-to-day working of the FSAI. The process of completing the appointments is practically concluded.

They were all Fianna Fáil hacks.