Mary Wallace (Meath, Fianna Fail)

The Department is continuing to progress the investigation into the circumstances in which the disease was first introduced to the country. The investigation is a comprehensive one and the Department will, in the event of sufficient evidence being established, endeavour to pursue a prosecution. Due to the nature of the investigation, the Department is not in a position to comment further on its progress at this stage.

On Deputy Naughten's second question, the Department is paying for the testing. There has been a comprehensive surveillance programme, the cost of which was largely borne by the Department. Separately, the Department provides a financial contribution for each visit by a vet to take blood samples from horses, subject to movement restrictions, and also covers the cost to the Irish Equine Centre of analysing the samples.

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