Vol. 474 No. 6
117 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he is taking to safeguard the health of consumers in view of media reports (details supplied) of the failure of the Eastern Health Board to prosecute butchers and meat processors for serious breaches of food hygiene regulations as recommended by the chief veterinary officer of South Dublin County Council. [3752/97]
The hygiene standards to be observed in premises engaged in the provision of food services to the public are set out in the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1950-89. These regulations are enforced on a day-to-day basis by the environmental health services of the eight health boards through programmes of inspection, sampling and monitoring. Where the hygiene standards in a food premises are found not to be in accordance with the regulations, there is provision whereby the relevant health board can take a prosecution for breach of the food hygiene regulations against the proprietor of the premises or the undertaking operating in the premises, as appropriate. Where a health board considers a food premises to pose a grave and immediate danger to public health, the health board can apply to the District Court for the immediate closure of that food business.
In the circumstances referred to by the Deputy, I understand that the veterinary services of a local authority brought to the attention of the Eastern Health Board the hygiene conditions in a number of meat premises which, it was alleged, amounted to breaches of the food hygiene regulations.
I understand that, following receipt of the information, the environmental health officers of the Eastern Health Board inspected the various premises. While deficiencies were noted during the inspections the health board did not consider there to be sufficient grounds for prosecution or for a closure order in any of the cases at that time.
I have been assured by the Eastern Health Board that the situation in these premises, including rectification of the deficiencies which it identified and brought to the attention of the proprietors, has been monitored by the health board and that this monitoring is continuing.
I am satisfied from the information which I have received that the health board has fulfilled its obligations with respect to public health in this instance.
