Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

For the Minister's information, there is fierce confusion among small abattoirs about the so-called new legislation that is under discussion. Councils are basically washing their hands of abattoirs and say that, since they do not have the resources, they will not go near them. One council has actually refused to help. The Minister is well aware of that situation. I have submitted a formal request that the head person in the Department’s veterinary section meet us, and I hope that request will be granted, but I ask the Minister to take an interest in what is happening with small abattoirs. There seems to be a shift under way whereby we want all the big abattoirs going well. Look at the number of small abattoirs we have lost in recent years. All that councils will say is that there is a rolling contract for a few months and then the Department will take it over. We have been hearing that for ages.

The problem is that there is collateral damage. Abattoirs are now under serious pressure because certain licences are not being granted. I ask the Minister to take an interest in that over the coming months.

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