New research from Bord Bia has shown that eating out is still high on the agenda for Irish diners, with almost half (46%) of the population eating out at least once a month and 15% of Irish people eating out at least once a week.  The research was presented at the launch of the Just Ask 2011 campaign.

The Just Ask campaign was launched by Bord Bia in 2009  encourages customers  to look for information regarding the origin of their meat when eating out. 

This in  turn encourages chefs to provide this information on their menus. It has been positively received by the restaurant trade to date. 

The research found  that 81% of Irish diners believe that  it's important that restaurants use local produce with 72% deeming it important that the origin of meat is listed on the menu.

It also found that nearly 80% of consumers would check the origin of meat on the menu in restaurants.

Irish consumers do not have reservations about speaking up if unhappy when eating out, according to the survey.  It found that  73% would be willing to complain about the quality of food served,

 and over 80% of consumers would be willing to query a cost item on a bill.

Speaking about the launch of Just Ask 2011 campaign, Maureen Gahan, Bord Bia said, 'The Bord Bia research shows that Irish people are dining out regularly.

'We want to remind diners about The Just Ask campaign and encourage them to check the menus in restaurants and to simply look for the food origin information on menus.

 If it is not written on the menu, then Just Ask!'  The campaign also includes the Just Ask Restaurant of the Month, selected by Georgina Campbell,

which rewards restaurants around the country that are demonstrating 'best practice' in providing their customers with information and are committed to transparency with regard to the country of origin of the food served.