Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

It is a well known fact that it is nearly impossible to get an Irish person to work in the meat industry. Let us not start confusing the issue. If people are abusing the system or there are sectors we have not covered, I am in favour of doing whatever is necessary in that regard, but a host of legislative measures already exist. When I inquired today about the legislative measures in place to deal with this action over the weekend, I was informed that approximately 25 laws are in place to deal with the person concerned in the area of food, the marine, hygiene and safety. A host of legislation is in place. If issues are reported, there is a process for dealing with them in a range of areas. The particular individual in question is being investigated in five different areas.

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