asked the Minister for Health the number of prosecutions which have been instituted in the Dublin area under the Food Hygiene Regulations in each of the years 1966, 1967, and 1968.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Food Hygiene Regulations.
18.
The numbers of prosecutions instituted under the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1950, by the Dublin Health Authority in respect of their administrative area in 1966, 1967 and 1968 were 53, 48 and 41 respectively.
Is the Minister aware of the very dangerous practice which is growing up, namely, that of beef and mutton being killed in unsupervised slaughter houses outside of Dublin and being wholesaled in the city? There is a great possibility of danger to people's health. There is also a possibility of diseased carcases being offered for sale in Dublin city due to these unsupervised killings both of cattle and sheep and then their being offered wholesale to the merchants in Dublin.
I think the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries is responsible for the inspection of slaughter houses. I shall convey the observations of the Deputy to him and see what part we have to play.
The Minister will agree that the health factor would be of concern to him?
No doubt.