Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 June 2013
39. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he is taking to ensure that there are an adequate number of designated boats cleared to his Departments specifications to service the growing and expanding live trade to Libya; when he expects to be able to announce some positive results from this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29354/13]
View answerThe requirements for approval of dedicated vessels for the carriage of cattle by sea are contained in the Diseases of Animals (Carriage of Cattle by Sea) Orders, 1996 and 1998.
At present two ships have been approved for the carriage of cattle while a third ship will be inspected shortly. Further enquiries have been made in relation to a further five ships. These are at different stages of the approval process.
I attach considerable importance to the live export trade and my Department will continue to process applications for approval of ships in a timely manner.
