Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Feb 1999

Vol. 499 No. 5

Written Answers. - Cattle Smuggling.

Michael Ferris

Question:

54 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Síochána seized a consignment of cattle on 5 January 1999 at Nenagh, County Tipperary, which was believed to have been smuggled from Northern Ireland; where the cattle were seized; if the intended destination of the cattle was established; if the Garda Síochána has reason to believe that this consignment was part of a wider pattern of organised smuggling of cattle from Northern Ireland; the steps, if any, the Garda Síochána is taking to deal with such smuggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3046/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The Deputy will appreciate that it is not the practice of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to give detailed information to the House about an individual Garda investigation or operation except where the circumstances of an investigation are so exceptional that such a course is deemed to be appropriate. However, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the cattle seizure in question is still the subject of a full and detailed Garda investigation.