Vol. 468 No. 2
173 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on a press report (details supplied) which indicated that Ireland could face further fines from the European Commission arising from further irregularities in the beef industry; the current position in regard to the investigation of this matter; and the reason there was a delay of 16 months in the reporting of the matter by his Department to the Garda Fraud Squad. [14913/96]
While it is not normal practice to comment on any investigations involving individual traders or operators the following points will clarify the position in relation to the case cited in the article:
— beef export refunds as claimed by the company were not paid in this case and the possibility of a fine being imposed subsequently by the Commission does not arise;
— it was the vigilance of my Department's staff and the various improved control procedures in place that uncovered what were contraventions of the requirements of the relevant EU Regulations;
— the Commission was notified at an early date of these contraventions and during the course of subsequent investigations detailed consultations were held with both UCLAF, the Commission's anti-fraud agency and the Commission's services responsible for FEOGA expenditure. Detailed explanations and information were sought and received from the company
