I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 106 together.
From the investigations undertaken in relation to the November 1997 incident, my Department was satisfied that the cattle in question were imported from the United Kingdom in contravention of EU veterinary legislation, as transposed into Irish law. Consequently and in accordance with the established policy, the cattle were slaughtered, the carcasses were rendered and the resulting material was subsequently exported for incineration.
The precise origin of these cattle in the United Kingdom has not been definitely established but it is believed that they came here from Northern Ireland. A slaughter notice was served on the owner of the cattle. The matter is still under investigation and my Department is most anxious that legal proceedings would be taken against those involved with this illegal importation if it is possible to sustain a case.
The audit in March was conducted by the EU food and veterinary office and followed a new audit format which was introduced in early 1998 by the EU Commission. Following on from this, operating controls at the plant were reviewed by officers of my Department and were revised and amended in the context of the demands of the new audit format.