Trevor Sargent
Ceist:135 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health whether an article (details supplied) relating to BSE is factually correct. [24569/96]
Vol. 473 No. 1
135 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health whether an article (details supplied) relating to BSE is factually correct. [24569/96]
136 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report submitted to the chief medical officer of his Department entitled Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy - a study of its epidemiology and its relevance to public health by a doctor (details supplied); his views on a statement contained in the report that it must be assumed that all beef is not safe to eat; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a similar report was written by the doctor in 1990; and if any attempt was made to seek clarification from the doctor's employers, the North-Eastern Health Board, as to the source of the doctor's research. [24570/96]
137 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health the pressure, if any, which was brought to bear on a person (details supplied) to resign from his position due to his public comments on BSE; and whether the individual is barred by the relevant health board from speaking on BSE and from carrying out further research on the subject. [24571/96]
138 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) had warned that vertical transmission of BSE between cow and calf was likely prior to its acceptance by the scientific community in July 1996; and if this individual's report was validated by external or independent experts. [24572/96]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 135, 136, 137 and 138 together.
I am aware that a copy of the material prepared by the individual in question was sent to the chief medical officer of my Department who acknowledged receipt on 9 May 1996.