asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the widespread concern arising out of the reported passing by a veterinary inspector as fit for shipment of a horse which subsequent examination showed to be aged over ten years and to be suffering from liver poisoning, he will make a statement in the matter and indicate the steps which will be taken to prevent a recurrence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shipment of Horses.
77.
Mr. Ryan
On the occasion to which the Deputy refers, Saturday, 6th October, 70 horses were presented for export at Dublin Port and 67 of these were passed for shipment by my Department's portal veterinary officers on being found to be under seven years of age and fit to travel. The veterinary officers were not themselves acquainted with the circumstances in which one of these horses was stated to have been removed later from the port to a factory and slaughtered there outside official hours on the Saturday afternoon, nor was there any subsequent veterinary examination and identification of the animal which would substantiate the allegations made. Indeed, two statements made in connection with the allegations were later admitted to be incorrect, namely, as regards the time of delivery and slaughter of the horse at the factory and the filing of its teeth to make it look younger.
The remaining questions will appear on to-morrow's Order Paper.