Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 1

Written Answers. - Special Investigation Unit.

Billy Timmins

Question:

113 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the special investigation unit of his Department has raided or investigated sectors in the agricultural industry, excluding farms but including chemists and vets, since 1 January 2002; the result of these investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22611/03]

Billy Timmins

Question:

115 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of staff employed in the special investigation unit of his Department; the function of the staff; if they have a code of practice or conduct; if not, his plans to draw up one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22613/03]

Billy Timmins

Question:

116 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farms the special investigation unit has investigated since 1 January 2002; the breakdown of these by county; the number of prosecutions which were initiated to date; the number which have been successful; the number which have failed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22614/03]

Billy Timmins

Question:

117 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farms the special investigation unit has raided or investigated; the number of these on which no basis for a prosecution was found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22615/03]

Billy Timmins

Question:

118 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of cases which have been taken by farmers against the special investigation unit since 1 January 2000; the result of these cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22616/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Question Nos. 113 and 115 to 118, inclusive, together.

The remit of my Department's special investigation unit is to assist various areas of my Department in the operation of various schemes and regulations and in particular to investigate suspected breaches of legislation governing animal disease control, animal medication, the production, processing, trading or otherwise handling of animals, carcasses or meat intended for human consumption or the manufacture or trading of feeding stuffs. Some investigations are conducted jointly with the Garda Síochána and the SIU also complies with inquiry requests under international mutual assistance arrangements from other national enforcement agencies.

In addition, the activities of the SIU involve the provision of support to other areas of my Department and advice to the relevant operators. In many cases, prosecutions would not arise from the work of the SIU while in other cases prosecutions may be initiated by the Director of Public Prosecutions and staff.

The SIU has a staff of 14 people. Officers involved are authorised to carry out a range of functions under the relevant legislation and a code of practice reflecting these provisions is currently being finalised. The procedures followed by the SIU are in accordance with the law and comply with the requirements in regard to the taking and presentation of evidence.

In the period since 1 January 2002, a total of 78 farmers and 87 non-farming entities have been investigated. A breakdown of farm investigations by county follows. Some 39 cases arising directly from investigations carried out by the SIU during and prior to that period were successfully prosecuted since 1 January 2002. Two such cases were not successful and one of these is under appeal. At present, another 42 cases are expected to come to a court hearing in due course. A further 78 cases which may result in prosecutions are at various stages of investigation.

With regard to the SIU investigations conducted since 1 January 2000, High Court injunctions were taken out against my Department in three cases, one of which was unsuccessful, the other two were subsequently withdrawn. Legal action by other farmers against my Department has been initiated in two cases.

Breakdown of farm investigations by county as follows:

Carlow	–
Cavan	3
Clare	3
Cork	3
Donegal	–
Dublin	–
Galway	–
Kerry	19
Kildare	3
Kilkenny	2
Laois	3
Limerick	4
Longford	–
Louth	1
Mayo	–
Meath	8
Monaghan	6
Offaly	–
Roscommon	3
Sligo	3
Leitrim	–
Tipperary North	2
Tipperary South	5
Waterford	1
Westmeath	3
Wexford	4
Wicklow	2
Total	78