Mr. Michael Sheahan:

We did not consider taking over the running of the plant. The Department has never done such a thing. I do not know if it would make any sense or be appropriate. As the Deputy pointed out, it creates a potential problem in that it is the only slaughterhouse for horses on the island of Ireland. At the Committee of Public Accounts someone asked me about the likelihood of someone else stepping in or whether the Government or the Department could do something. At the time I said that, given the negative publicity and the toxicity around the issue of slaughtering horses, I was not sure that anybody would be rushing in to take over. However, since then, we have actually had a number of approaches to potentially provide a slaughter service for horses. I am slightly surprised at this but we have had four approaches that I am aware of and there might even be a few more. These are all credible approaches from credible people. Having said that, I do not want to give the impression that suddenly someone is going to open a slaughter plant for horses. It is one thing to express an interest in doing it and ask what would be involved, but it is another thing to bring it to fruition. However, at least it is good some credible people are inquiring about it. From the discussions I have had with a couple of them, they have genuine reasons for wanting to step in and help. We are all aware that if there is not a slaughter option - we see what happens in America - the alternative is that horses get exported and that could perhaps be a much worse outcome.