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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 8

Written Answers. - Abattoir Inspections.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

130 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if all local authorities with abattoirs within their functional areas are providing a meat inspection and certification service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19347/97]

Under the Abattoirs Act, 1988, statutory responsibility for the supervision of day-to-day operations at domestic abattoirs, including ante and post-mortem examination of meat, rests with the relevant local authority. However, in December 1996, as a result of the unsatisfactory situation which had existed for some time in this regard, Government approval was secured for payment by my Department of financial assistance to local authorities in order to assist them in urgently rectifying this situation. My understanding is that all of the local authorities have arranged for veterinary inspections of abattoirs.

Of the 31 local authorities which have domestic abattoirs located within their functional areas, 19 have fully established their entitlement to the appropriate financial assistance on the basis that they are providing a full inspection service and performing their functions and payment has been, or is in the process of being made in such cases. Of the remaining 12 local authorities, my Department is awaiting formal confirmation that a full service is operational before payment will be made.
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