Vol. 534 No. 5
8 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the investigations which have been held by the Garda into allegations of widespread smuggling of sheep, especially having regard to the serious problems being created by foot and mouth disease; the specific investigation which has been held by the Garda into the source of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10987/01]
206 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the Garda failed to fully investigate allegations of sheep smuggling into the State until the week ending 25 March 2001; if this failure facilitated the outbreak of foot and mouth disease here; the new measures taken by the Garda in this regard; and the further action which is proposed. [10841/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 206 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that investigations being carried out by the Garda Síochána into allegations of sheep smuggling are an ongoing process. The Garda has been actively involved in tracing sheep which may have been illegally imported prior to controls being put in place on 21 February 2001. Specific investigations are taking place concerning events surrounding the foot and mouth outbreak at Proleek Lower, Dundalk and suspected illegal importation of sheep at the relevant time. Any case involving suspected criminality is the subject of full and detailed investigation.
These investigations are on a countrywide basis and being co-ordinated by the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Incident rooms have been established around the country and a Garda liaison office operating from the Ballymascanlon Hotel in Dundalk is in full-time contact with personnel from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and other relevant organisations. The incident rooms are in the towns of Ardee, Roscommon, Carlow and Abbeyleix. In addition, Garda inquiries are also ongoing in relation to movements from the United Kingdom.
The Garda authorities are utilising all relevant legislation, the European Convention (Trade and Animals and Animal Product) Regulations, 1994, and the recently enacted Diseases of Animals (Amendment) Act, 2001, during a vigorous inquiry. Arrests have been made, where appropriate, and searches have been carried out resulting in the seizure of documentation and other items for examination. Garda investigations are ongoing and the Garda anticipates sending a number of files to the Director of Public Prosecutions with a view to instituting proceedings. In the circumstances, the House will appreciate it would be inappropriate to go into further detail about individual investigations.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Does he agree that this is one of the most serious matters under Garda investigation? Can he give us a timeframe in relation to the completion of the investigations? Has he ascertained, to date, if there is any paramilitary involvement, as alleged, in the smuggling of animals across the Border? Is the involvement of meat plants encompassed in the ongoing inquiries on foot of the evidence given by Mr. James Kavanagh in a court case in Carlow last week about the Kildare chilling plant where he collected sheep?
It appears that there was widespread legal movement of sheep between North and South for many years.
Illegal.
No, legal movement. As regards whether there is a subversive element involved in sheep smuggling, the Garda investigation is ongoing. I understand it is envisaged that a number of cases will be forwarded for direction to the Director of Public Prosecutions who will decide what should be done. I do not propose to compromise the efforts of the Garda by making any comment on how that might or might not proceed. There is not any evidence that animals were brought into the jurisdiction illegally since controls were put in place on the Border on 21 February. There is evidence of some illegal movement prior to that time.
Could the Minister define the offence involved, when we talk of smuggling or illegal movement? The Minister should accept that we have a weak law and an even weaker enforcement regime. Will this area be tightened up? If law reform is needed, will he introduce appropriate regulations and legislation? Will he ensure that the enforcement of the law does not allow for any loopholes or criticisms?
There was legal movement of sheep from the North into the South prior to the restrictions being put in place on 21 February. The movement of sheep after that, in breach of the restrictions, constitutes the offence. From investigations that have taken place, it is clear that sheep were illegally imported. They were taken from the United Kingdom to Northern Ireland on the pretext that they were to be slaughtered in Northern Ireland and they were subsequently moved across the Border into this jurisdiction. I can only answer for the Garda Síochána and any complaints that came to their attention have been fully investigated. This is a matter which continues to receive Garda atten tion and I expect the Director of Public Prosecutions to take decisions shortly.
