Departmental Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 March 2017

Thursday, 23 March 2017

Questions (167)

John McGuinness

Question:

167. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the investigations which have been undertaken by his Department regarding complaints made by a person (details supplied) relative to various matters concerning alleged fraud and contaminated milk; if correspondence sent to his Department regarding these matters had been processed; if the person has been informed of the outcome of any investigation or the status of their complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14659/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department received correspondence in 2012 from the named individual in which allegations were made against a certain company.  At the time the Minister asked officials in the Investigations Division of my Department to examine the situation and meet with the person who submitted the correspondence.

Following their meeting, the investigating officers concluded that there was no evidence available to warrant an investigation under my Department’s legislation and advised the complainant in writing of this view. They also advised the person alleging the offences that a number of allegations appear, of their nature, to involve matters for consideration by the Garda Síochána. My understanding is that the Garda Síochána were subsequently contacted.

I am satisfied that my Department examined the allegation to the fullest extent of its remit and that the complainant has been advised of the outcome.