Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2014
640. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the case of a farmer (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; where this case currently is; the action his Department proposes to take in respect of this case; the avenues open to this farmer now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8173/14]
View answerA large number of studies and investigations have been undertaken by various state agencies into the production problems affecting the farm of the person concerned between 2004 and 2009. The farm issues were investigated by my own Department’s Veterinary Laboratory Service with the assistance of Teagasc and subsequently by the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA) based in UCD. The factory emissions were investigated by the EPA. No evidence was found to indicate that factory emissions were the cause of the difficulties. My Department has undertaken no investigations or validations of the performance of animals on this farm since 2008 and does not intend to take any further action in relation to this case. The factory closed in December 2008.
I understand that the Office of the Ombudsman has recently completed its examination of complaints submitted by the person concerned and has closed the file on the matter.
