Animal Welfare

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2021

Tuesday, 22 June 2021

Questions (649)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

649. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will respond to the guilty verdict against a staff member of his Department accused of animal neglect and or being reckless regarding the health or welfare of an animal; if there will be a review of the Department systems that allowed a person to be overseeing the same matters for which they have pleaded guilty to; and if there will be a review of the cases on which the official in question was investigating animal welfare issues. [33437/21]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

It is a matter of public record that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine brought a prosecution in the case.

The Department rightly expects all its staff to fully comply with the law, particularly with those that it is bound to safeguard. 

When an allegation that a member of staff has failed to do so is upheld, the Department will act robustly and in accordance with the provision of fair procedures, to address the matter under the auspices of the appropriate Civil Service policy.

Whilst the Department does not comment on individual cases, it can and should be noted that the work of all staff, including those investigating animal welfare issues, is the subject of ongoing appropriate supervision.