Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 October 2014
94. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the serious crisis with livestock rustling across the country but particularly in the Border area, and if he is proposing a co-ordinated strategy with his counterpart North of the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40756/14]
View answerI am aware of the incidence of stolen livestock in the country. Theft is primarily a matter for the Garda Síochána and any incident involving theft of livestock should be reported to the Garda Síochána in the first instance. Officers of my Department assist with investigations when requested to do so by the Garda. In this regard, I would like to draw the Deputy’s attention to the fact that a recent operation involving my Department’s Investigation Division and the Garda resulted in the discovery of an illegal abattoir near the Border. This matter is being investigated. There is also close liaison with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland aimed at addressing the issue of stolen livestock. In this regard, a cross-border liaison Group comprising this Department’s Investigations Division, the Garda and PSNI liaise and investigate the theft of livestock on an all-Ireland basis.
