Vol. 506 No. 2
41 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the latest position of the Garda investigation into the seizure at the AIBP plant, Nenagh, County Tipperary, of a consignment of cattle believed to have been smuggled from Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15378/99]
The Deputy will appreciate that it is not the practice for 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 in deemed appropriate.
All I propose to say in this case is that I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the incident to which the question refers occurred on 17 November 1997 and was investigated by the special investigation unit of the Department of Agriculture and Food and that, last month, the Department forwarded a file to the Garda for further investigation. I am further informed that the Garda investigation has commenced and is likely to take some time to complete.
With only a slight variation towards the end, that is almost a verbatim quotation of the reply given to Deputy Ferris on 4 February, more than four months ago. Does the Minister find it acceptable that such a serious matter is taking so long to investigate? Last week the first case of human variant CJD in this State came to light. Does that development add an extra impetus to the investigation? This matter is of profound concern as it involves people's well-being. When does the Minister believe this matter can be brought to a conclusion?
An investigation was conducted by the special investigation unit of the Department of Agriculture and Food following the seizure of the cattle on 17 November 1997, assisted by the Garda as required. At that time the investigation was under the remit of the Department of Agriculture and Food.
More is the pity.
On 5 May 1999 the Department of Agriculture and Food sent its file to the Garda for further investigation. This investigation is currently under way and is likely to take some time to complete. I do not consider that there has been an undue delay, particularly as the file was sent to the Garda only in the past month.
Is the Minister aware that the Garda Commissioner received a letter on 22 June 1998 which included detailed allegations concern ing this matter? Can the Minister assure the House and the people that the practices alleged in that letter, which involved the introduction of potentially contaminated cattle into the food supply, are not taking place and that sufficient measures are in place to ensure this is the case?
The Garda Síochana was aware of the situation. Following the seizure of the cattle on 17 November—
They were seized on 17 November 1997.
The animals were removed on 17 November 1997 to the Department of Agriculture and Food's pound at Crossdoney, County Cavan. From that point the investigation was led by the special investigation unit of the Department of Agriculture and Food. The Garda was aware of the case and was prepared to assist if requested. However, the investigation was the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture and Food until the file was passed to the Garda Síochána last month.
I share the Deputy's concern on this matter as it could have serious ramifications. However, we must await the outcome of the Garda investigation. As always, I have every confidence in its professionalism.
Whatever about the Minister's confidence in the Garda's investigative powers and professionalism, I sought an assurance on behalf of the people that the practices alleged in this case are not occurring now and that sufficient safeguards are in place to ensure the safety of the food supply. In saying this, I am doubly aware that the first case of human variant CJD in this State came to light in the past week.
Naturally I am concerned that every possible safeguard is in place to ensure such an event cannot take place. However, I cannot guarantee it will not take place. In this instance, a cattle lorry was stopped at a Garda checkpoint and the gardaí were suspicious of the origin of the cattle. The lorry was kept under observation by the Garda until it arrived at a meat factory in the area concerned.
Gardaí at Nenagh contacted the Department of Agriculture and Food. The veterinary inspector in Nenagh went to the factory on the morning of 17 November 1997 where he commenced his investigation. I assure the Deputy that my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food are most concerned to ensure adequate safeguards are in place. Obviously one cannot legislate to ensure 100 per cent success, but we will do everything we possibly can.
