Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 9

Written Answers. - Veterinary Research Laboratories.

Avril Doyle

Ceist:

209 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the rationale behind closing all veterinary laboratories on Saturdays and effectively preventing testing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; if he has concerns for the implications in relation to samples for pathological and bacteriological testing in view of the importance and the urgency of most samples, swabs and cultures for diagnosis and for treatment and of the need for a speedy return of results to vets and farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1614/94]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

The decision to close the Veterinary Research Laboratories on Saturdays was taken in the overall context of making optimum use of the resources available to the Department and taking account of the arrangements already in place by the Department's veterinary service to deal with emergencies.

The whole question of the opening hours will be kept under review in my Department.