Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have two questions. Subhead B.3.8 concerns the control of horses and there is an estimate of €1.6 million for 2014. The outturn for 2013 was €3.05 million based on an estimate of €1.5 million. What was the explanation for this? Given that the control of horses will comprise an ongoing problem, should the Minister not have included a higher figure for 2014?

With regard to sbuhead B.3.20 – Other – the outturn for 2013 was €2.3 million, whereas the Estimate figure was €300,000. I possibly know the answer to this question, but I am just wondering what the explanation is for the additional expenditure of €2 million. Is it to do with the cost of the horsemeat scandal? What was the cost to the Department?