Speaking at a celebratory lunch in Dublin yesterday, Mr Kenny said: “I’m sure there are many here who will remember as clearly as I do when this concept started out some years ago.

“It made us sit up and take notice way back then, its message was about an innate sense of quality, of faith, of confidence and indeed of trust, the sense that by watching the iconic Guaranteed Irish symbol, that we, all of us, could do our bit.”

A study by Amárach Research in 2011 found that 6,000 new jobs would be created if Irish households increased spending on Guaranteed Irish products by 25pc.

The study estimated that the average household spent just under €16 per week on Guaranteed Irish products.

A State-backed campaign encouraging people to “buy Irish” was established in the 1970s, but the scheme was deemed unlawful by the European Court of Justice in 1982.

After the court decision, Guaranteed Irish was set up as an independent, non-profit company in 1984.

Its mark is now displayed on the products of over 250 Irish companies

Guaranteed Irish executive director Tom Rea told attendees: “Our brand is one of the most iconic of our time. It encapsulates all that is good about Ireland in terms of quality, craftsmanship and high standards.”

Article Source: http://tinyurl.com/kbwqb42