Vol. 509 No. 6
392 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to approve funding for the establishment of a dioxin testing facility within the Western Health Board region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21816/99]
The recent contamination by dioxin of certain Belgian foodstuffs highlighted the need for dioxin testing facilities in the member states of the European Union. In Ireland the issue of an analytical facility for dioxin is currently under discussion in the Civil Service Laboratories Advisory Committee. Such a facility could be required for several purposes and by several agencies. The committee, which is in the process of formulating a proposal for submission to Government, comprises representatives from the various Departments and agencies concerned, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, the Department of the Environment and Local Government, the Department of Finance, the Department of Health and Children, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the State Laboratory.
