Vol. 459 No. 3
174 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the local authorities that are implementing the provisions of the Abattoirs Act; the financial provision, if any, his Department is making towards the cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18280/95]
Under the Abattoirs Act, 1988, the local authorities are required to appoint a wholetime veterinary inspector to carry out the functions proscribed by that Act. At present, all local authorities other than Cavan, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo and Tipperary NR County Councils have wholetime veterinary inspectors employed for this purpose. My Department does not make a financial contribution towards the costs involved. Slaughter fees are payable by the abattoir operators and these go some way towards meeting the expenses of the local authorities.
