I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 60 together.
I received a comprehensive submission from the small abattoir group of the Irish Butchers' Association in relation to proposed amendments to the Abattoirs Act, 1988 (Abattoirs) Regulations, 1989, which are necessary to fully implement Council Directive 91/497/EEC and Council Directive 95/23/EC. I subsequently met with representatives of the association to discuss the submission.
Officials of my Department recently met representatives of the association to discuss, in particular, the proposed amendments to the Abattoirs Act, 1988 (Abattoirs) Regulations, 1989. Detailed clarification was provided at that meeting about the standards required and the procedural arrangements which are being put in place to address the particular concerns of small abattoirs. It has not been possible to provide aid from the resources available to my Department.