Vol. 472 No. 4
76 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the disciplinary steps, if any, which have been taken against officials of his Department in respect of the forgery by them of the signature of a meat company employee on IB4, IB7 and other official forms during the period beginning in December 1989 and ending in October 1991, at a meat factory in Rathkeale, County Limerick; and if no such action has been taken, the reason therefor. [23382/96]
I indicated to the Deputy in reply to earlier questions on this matter that I would arrange for a full investigation of this matter by senior officials of my Department. Their report is now completed. However, High Court proceedings have been initiated against my Department by a former employee of the company concerned in this case. The outcome of these High Court proceedings may have implications for the Department's ultimate conclusions on this case. In the meantime I consider that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the matter at present. As previously promised at a committee hearing I intend to correspond with the Deputy on this matter as it develops and I expect to communicate with him shortly.
