Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I assure the Deputy that the Department and Northern Ireland authorities co-operate closely, particularly on animal health and welfare. I agree that the re-establishment of an Executive would be beneficial in terms of developing an all-island animal health policy. In itself, however, such a development would not address the issues the Deputy raises because the British authorities would have to accept that trade between Britain and Northern Ireland in this area would be designated "intra-Community". This issue and the designation of Larne as a port of import and export would have to be addressed in the context of any discussions that may take place.

Having said that, a system of checks and balances is in place and all sheep arriving at slaughter plants are checked to ensure the paperwork is in order and the animals are tagged and traceable. We will continue to review legislation in this area in the context of the satisfactory position prevailing here in the area of animal disease. We have already done this in the area of breeding sheep and have received sanction to change the procedures governing the movement of animals from one farm to another. The Department will keep the matter raised by the Deputy under review.

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