Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hear loud and clear the geographical message. I appreciate the importance of a geographical spread. The one assurance I have given is that there will be no diminution of service to the farming community in respect of this. It preceded my appointment, but it was right and proper that Professor O'Reilly was given carte blancheto look at the current service, critique it and make a series of recommendations. He is an internationally-renowned scientist. He has done some sterling service both in this country and abroad. I felt it was appropriate thereafter to put that out into consultation with the staff. They are the people whose role is critical to underpinning the industry and the manner in which we are able to travel the globe and stand over the product that we have. I salute all of the staff that are employed across the regional laboratories and at Backweston. That consultation process is ongoing. In a way, it is unfortunate that there has been an element of scaremongering by farm organisations and others. No decisions whatsoever have been made about the future structures. I made that point to staff to whom I have spoken. It is right and proper that they engage and put their best foot forward in respect of the service that is there now. It is a critical service for the industry and I acknowledge what it has done, but I equally think that it was only right and proper that Professor O'Reilly would have been given the broadest possible scope to critique the service and make recommendations for the future. Those recommendations are the subject of public consultation.

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