Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I share the comments made on all sides of the House in regard to the publication of the McAleese report and commend the former Senator on his diligence and commitment in this regard. In light of the wave of media attention that has rightly focused on this tragic episode in recent Irish history, the House should be aware that yesterday afternoon the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, of which Senators Brian Ó Domhnaill, Pat O'Neill and I are members, spent more than four hours listening to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, and Professor Alan Reilly, chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland outline the current situation on what could be a potentially disastrous episode impacting on Irish agriculture.

There are more than 200,000 people employed in agriculture, generating ¤9 billion in exports. The issue is getting worse rather than better. I commend the Minister, his officials, and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on their efforts but how long more will the saga drag on? The Minister is sticking rigidly to the view that the horse DNA emanated from Poland and has the documentation to prove it. The Polish authorities deny that. The indication appears to be that somewhere along the food chain, traces of horsemeat and pork were introduced which leads to possible allegations of corrupt practices.

There are more than 140 people employed in the Silvercrest facility in Monaghan and there has been little discussion on the impact this saga is having on them and their families and the uncertain future they are facing. I was reassured by the Minister yesterday. I and other Members will be surprised to hear that this plant is not only a state-of-the-art facility specifically for the processing of beefburgers but the most advanced plant in the world. It is currently operating at 50% of its overall capacity but has now lost more than ¤30 million in food contracts to various multiples. That Tesco withdrew its ¤15 million contract after the management had been changed and the new procedures introduced raises questions as to why it did so. If it had done so before one could understand.

In light of this, I ask that the House be kept regularly informed of the issue. I hope we will not have to be regularly informed. I hope the Minister, his officials and the Garda authorities who are now involved, will accelerate the investigations and bring the matter to a speedy conclusion, otherwise Ireland's image as a green island and its food exports will be damaged. The sooner the issue is grappled with, the sooner the investigation will be concluded. If the Minister is coming to the House, I ask that he keep the House informed in order to maintain the pressure on all the relevant State agencies to conclude the issue quickly. I support the view of our spokesperson on agriculture, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, who is a member of the committee, in calling for an independent investigation. If one person is given a timeline and access, the entire issue can be dealt with in a month or six weeks which, in my opinion, is too long.