I am informed by Garda authorities that since Friday, 2 March 2001, Garda investigations into the illegal importation of animals into the Republic of Ireland have been co-ordinated by a detective chief superintendent in charge of the Garda national bureau of criminal investigations. Incident rooms were set up at a number of locations around the country and a Garda liaison office was set up in the Ballymacscanlon Hotel to liaise with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
As a result of this investigation, a number of persons suspected of involvement in the illegal importation of animals into the country were identified and are currently the subject of investigation. I understand that six arrests have been made and one person has been charged. Also, a number of files are currently being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. This aspect of the investigation involves approximately 900 sheep. Substantive figures concerning other aspects of the sheep trade may be available from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the statistics sought by the Deputy are not readily available and could only be obtained with the expenditure of an inordinate amount of Garda time and resources. The Garda authorities have, however, informed me that during the years 1999-2000 a small number of persons were charged with a variety of offences relating to illegal importation of animals into the country and have been convicted in the courts.
