Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 2

Written Answers. - Negligence Allegations.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

145 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedures in place to investigate allegations of negligence against the Mid Western Health Board which admitted to a family that it had lost samples of blood, hair, throat and nose swabs and urine between April 1997 and June 1999; and if he will assure the Limerick family affected that all their questions in relation to the reason they and their farm animals are suffering will be answered and the health of their environment restored. [29887/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The chief executive officer of the Mid Western Health Board has recently been requested to investigate this matter. I have written to the chief executive officer and requested him to reply directly to the Deputy when the investigations are completed.

With regard to the concerns of the family referred to by the Deputy over human health and animal health problems, a multi-agency investigation which is being co-ordinated by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has been under way in the Askeaton area for some time. A number of interim reports have been published by the EPA. I am advised that the final report of the investigation is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2001.