Questions

559. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the public consultation on the mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal flour with folic acid launched on 13 July 2026; including the number of submissions received to date; the date by which the Department expects to complete its assessment of those submissions; whether she intends to make a decision before the closure of the consultation …

560. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to set out the powers available to the State under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 concerning the addition of vitamins and minerals and of certain other substances to foods to restrict or prohibit the placing on the market of a fortified food on public health grounds; and whether the Department has assessed or considered the application of any such powers in respect …

563. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason the recommendation of the National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification in 2006 was not implemented, including the specific scientific and clinical concerns identified at that time, and to provide details of the subsequent scientific evidence assessed by her Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in relation to the potential masking o…

566. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the powers available to the State under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 to restrict or prohibit the addition of vitamins or minerals to foods on public health grounds, including the circumstances in which such measures may be taken; whether her Department has assessed the application of those powers to fortified flour imported from the United Kingdom; and if she will…

569. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reasons the mandatory folic acid fortification policy recommended by the National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification in 2006 was not implemented, including the scientific and policy concerns that subsequently arose regarding mandatory fortification; to provide details of the evidence since assessed concerning the potential masking of vitamin B12 defici…

570. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the public consultation on the mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal flour with folic acid launched on 13 July 2026, including the number of submissions received to date; the expected timeline for consideration of those submissions and a decision following the closing date of 5 October 2026; whether her Department intends to bring forwar…

261. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline any public consultations that his Department expects to launch before the end of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41747/26]

532. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to outline any public consultations that his Department expects to launch before the end of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41742/26]

622. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to outline any public consultations that his Department expects to launch before the end of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41743/26]

679. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to outline any public consultations that his Department expects to launch before the end of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41745/26]

980. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline any public consultations that his Department expects to launch before the end of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41746/26]

750. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department is collaborating with the HSE and voluntary organisations such as an organisation (details supplied) in developing integrated policies that address both the financial and social needs of older adults, particularly those at risk of isolation. [48364/25]

1791. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if organisations (details supplied) are to be excluded from his Department's pre-budget forum in July as they were in 2024; and his views on whether it is wise or sustainable to ignore the only disabled persons’ representative organisations specific to physical impairment and visual impairment, respectively, in the country. [41743/25]

695. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount spent by the Department since 2020 on consultants, feasibility studies, legal reviews, planning appeals, and procurement re-runs. [23349/25]