Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of ferries servicing Ireland which have licences for transporting livestock; the ferries and routes involved; if there is a restriction of the licence to certain animals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6572/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Two roll on-roll off vessels are approved for the carriage of livestock and both operate from Rosslare to Cherbourg. The first vessel is approved to carry 18 livestock units and the second is authorised to carry four livestock units. Both vessels are approved for the carriage of cattle, sheep and pigs and may also carry horses under certain conditions when livestock is on board. In addition to this, eight roll on-roll off ferries have been approved by my Department for the carriage of horses from the State. Five of the vessels operate out of Dublin Port, three of which service Holyhead and two ferries service Liverpool. One roll on-roll off ferry is approved to carry horses from Dún Laoghaire. The remaining two roll on-roll off ferries are approved to carry horses on the Rosslare to Pembroke route and the Rosslare to Fishguard route.

The movement of livestock between member states of the European Union is governed, inter alia, by Council Directive 91/628/EEC. This directive obliges member states to ensure that livestock are not transported in a manner that would compromise their health or welfare. My Department has, over a period, introduced comprehensive national legislation to ensure that this requirement is respected.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if ferry companies are obliged to carry livestock under certain conditions to facilitate the common market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6574/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There is no legal obligation on ferry operators to carry livestock and the question of whether a ferry company carries livestock is a matter for the ferry company concerned. However, any ferry which is proposed to be used to transport livestock from the State to another member state or to a third country must be inspected and approved by my Department. The question of whether a ferry company from another member state is approved to transport animals into this country is a matter for the competent authority in the member state of origin to address.