Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

Even before the dust has settled and notwithstanding the Minister's statement that the authorities here exceeded the EU regulations with regard to inspections, does he accept that the level of inspection of this type of facility, food business operators, was inadequate? We are told that one inspection was scheduled for the end of the year and conveniently this has not happened. Given the fact that this particular facility — I do not know about the others — had a local authority licence for recycling other materials and that a range of activities were being carried on, does he accept that the level of inspection was not acceptable?

All the product has been taken off the shelves. Is there any way that anything other than secondary processed foods, such as primary processed foods can be traced and would not have to be discarded? My third question is related to my first question. What is the reason for the delay in having the laboratory in Backweston operational? Has the fact it is not operational any effect on the cost and frequency of the number of tests carried out? I note from the website that this facility should have been open months ago.

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