Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Oct 1994

Vol. 446 No. 1

Written Answers. - Reduction in Veterinary Laboratory Service.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

113 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason for the reduction in service at the Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Kilkenny in view of the difficulty that this may cause in the area for any disease outbreak that has to be dealt with urgently and the potential damage to the industry therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1655/94]

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.