Vol. 478 No. 2
45 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has made a complaint to the Garda regarding the irregularities involved in the Bureau Veritas certification supplied by an exporter to his Department under the export refund regulations; and if not, the reason therefor. [10786/97]
The Deputy seems to be referring to the apparent addition of dates of shipment on some Bureau Veritas certificates. These dates were cross-checked and verified against certification provided directly to the Department by Irish customs officials present at the ports. Furthermore the commercial transport documentation was examined for each shipment. None of the export details was misrepresented.
Second, there is no evidence to suggest that the beef concerned did not enter Iraq. No disallowance of refund has been imposed by the European Commission on foot of these particular certificates.I have no basis for a complaint to the Garda Síochána. However, if the Deputy has information which she believes is relevant to this issue I will of course arrange to have it examined immediately.
