Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 2

Written Answers. - Animal By-Products.

John McGuinness

Question:

171 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 162 of 22 May 2001, his Department will investigate the alleged breach of the terms of the legislation and the licence governing the activities carried out at the plant which took place on the following dates (details supplied); if the incidents of 3 and 24 April 2001 were reported to the Garda; if his Department will outline the legal action it intends to take; and the sanctions or restrictions it intends to impose in this regard. [15922/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The conditions governing the spreading of blood are set out in the European Communities (Disposal, Processing and Placing on the Market of Animal By-products) 1994, (S.I. No. 257 of 1994). Where the Department is satisfied that a breach of these regulations has occurred, it will take the appropriate action under this legislation. In this particular case, the Department is aware of the alleged spreading of blood and has carried out its own investigation. However, this investigation has not been able to establish if there has been a breach of the regulations. In view of the seriousness of the allegations and the views expressed by a member of the public, the Garda have been asked to investigate and my Department will also take into account any findings which arise as a result of this investigation.