Written Answers. - Veterinary Officers.
Edward Nealon
Question:
257
Mr. Nealon
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
if he will outline the functions and work envisaged for the veterinary officers which are required by regulation to be appointed to each county council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Edward Nealon
Question:
258
Mr. Nealon
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
if there is a date by which county councils are required to have appointed a veterinary officer to their staff; if he will give details of the counties which have already made such appointments; if he will outline the position in relation to the county councils of Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Roscommon, Mayo and Galway; if he will further outline the action, if any, his Department will take in the event of councils not appointing the veterinary officer at the appointed date, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 258 together.
Under the Abattoirs Act, 1988, each local authority is required to appoint a wholetime Veterinary Inspector to implement the provisions of the Act and provide such veterinary or ancillary services as are required. In addition, local authority veterinary inspectors are required to carry out other duties in accordance with the relevant enactments in force.
The full provisions of the Abattoirs Act in relation to the inspection and stamping of meat for human consumption are effective from 1 June 1992. Accordingly, each local authority is required to appoint a wholetime Veterinary Inspector from that date. The Act also includes provision for the sharing of a Veterinary Inspector's services between two local authorities, subject to the consent of the Minister. Local authorities which already employ permanent wholetime Veterinary Inspectors are as follows: Carlow, Cork, Clare, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Limerick, Mayo, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary (S.R.), Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow, Dublin Corporation, Cork Corporation, Limerick Corporation, Galway Corporation, Waterford Corporation.
Counties Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Roscommon have yet to make such appointments. My Department has advised those counties that the appointment of a wholetime inspector on a temporary basis will be acceptable, provided that such appointment is for a period not exceeding six months and that arrangements are made within that period in relation to the appointment of a permanent veterinary inspector.
