Vol. 466 No. 3
93 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when representatives from his Department last met with representatives of the management of Western Meat Producers Limited, Dromod, County Leitrim, to discuss structural and maintenance deficiencies which exist at the plant; the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11351/96]
94 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the assistance, if any, his Department has offered or provided to Western Meat Producers Limited, Dromod, County Leitrim, in order to provide the company with an opportunity of complying with EU standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11352/96]
95 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the grants, if any, that have been provided to Western Meat Producers Limited, Dromod, County Leitrim, in each of the years from 1990 to 1996. [11353/96]
96 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his Department instructed Western Meat Producers Limited to cease slaughtering at its plant in Dromod, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11354/96]
97 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the communications, if any, his Department has received from the management of Western Meat Producers Limited since 20 May 1996 regarding the future of its plant at Dromod, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11355/96]
98 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the grants, if any, that have been provided to the owners of the Western Meat Producers plant in Dromod, County Leitrim, in each of the years from 1990 to 1996. [11356/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 and 98 together.
My Department has been in correspondence with management of this plant in regard to structural and maintenance deficiencies over a long period.
Department officials from headquarters last met with representatives of the firm on 25 January to discuss conditions at the plant. The detailed work plan supplied following that meeting was not followed through by the firm. The firm agreed to cease slaughterings and all other activities at the plant from Monday 13 May. In the circumstances the Department agreed to defer withdrawal of approval of the plant for a period of one month from that date in order to allow for the disposal of existing stocks.
No communication about the future operation of the plant has been received from the firm since 20 May although there has been contact about the disposal of that stock.
As regards the grants and assistance mentioned by the Deputy I presume that he is referring to the FEOGA marketing and processing scheme for agricultural products which is administered by my Department. Moneys were not paid under that scheme in any of the years 1990 to 1996 to Western Meat Producers Limited although a grant was awarded but was not subsequently taken up by the firm.
