Vol. 516 No. 1
64 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the duties to which a person (details supplied) was assigned following his removal from a position in charge of veterinary inspection at Greenore port in April 1994; the reason he was allowed to continue to operate as an official of his Department having regard to the serious allegations made against him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7226/00]
66 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) was removed from his position in charge of veterinary inspection at Greenore port in April 1994; the investigation carried out and by whom in respect of any allegations against this person; the outcome of this investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7228/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 66 together.
Arising from certain suspicions, in March 1994 the officer referred to was relieved of responsibility for Greenore port. Subsequently on 4 May 1994 he was relieved of responsibility for all live animal exports from County Louth while these suspicions were investigated.
In the absence of specific evidence of any irregularities and taking account of the officer's rights under natural justice, the officer was allowed to continue to operate as an official of the Department. In this context the officer's duties involved the overseeing of the tuberculosis and brucellosis eradication schemes in the county and other animal health and welfare functions.
The officer was on sick leave for extended periods between April and November, 1994. During this period the officer was under investigation and was formally notified by the Department in November 1994 of the possibility of disciplinary action being taken against him. The procedures to give effect to such disciplinary action were commenced and were ongoing during 1995. During the latter part of 1995 my Department and the Garda worked jointly in investigating the officer's activities. These investigations culminated in a successful surveillance operation in January 1996, the circumstances of which were the subject of his prosecution and sentencing in the Central Criminal Court on 18 January 2000.
