Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank the witnesses. During Mr. Carroll's statement he commented on people from the SIU being subjected to threatening behaviour. Rather than the impression going out from there that that was all between farmers, it was obvious where some of it came from. The two most high-profile investigations the SIU has successfully investigated for the betterment of the reputation of the agricultural industry are the pork dioxin and horsemeat scandals. I understand the pork dioxin matter was an inadvertent calamity as a result of a chain of events which had a consequence.

In regards to the horsemeat scandal, there was always a feeling that criminal elements were involved. I would like to make sure that people do not leave here with the impression that it is only because of a very hostile relationship between farmers that problems arise. There may well be other elements in society which cause members of staff of the Department to need Garda protection and have their phones monitored. It might be no harm for Mr. Carroll to clarify that.