John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 483: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the person who is responsible for investigating health and safety issues in circuses when a member of the public or a circus worker is injured by a circus animal; and the role her Department would have. [5461/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 484: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there was an investigation into an incident in June 2005 when a person (details supplied) was seriously injured; and if so, the findings of same. [5462/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 485: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there was an investigation into incidents in June and July 2005 where the same monkey in a circus bit persons (details supplied); if so, the findings of same; if an import licence had been granted in respect of the monkey involved; and what has happened to the monkey since these incidents. [5463/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 483 to 485, inclusive, together.

Health and safety issues of the nature referred to by the Deputy are matters for the Health and Safety Authority. My Department's responsibilities with regard to circuses are confined to issuing import licences for circus animals and ensuring compliance with the appropriate health certification requirements. Licences are issued in accordance with the Rabies (Importation, Landing and Movement of Animals) (Amendment) Orders 1972-1976.

My Department is not aware of the incident in June 2005 to which the Deputy refers in Question No. 484 and, in any event, my Department would not have any responsibility for such an incident.

In relation to the second incident, in June and July 2005, in which it was reported that persons were bitten by a monkey, my Department conducted an investigation in order to ascertain the origin of the monkey and any potential health risk. The monkey concerned was located and removed to a quarantine facility where, in consultation with Health Service Executive, appropriate samples were taken from the monkey for screening. The results of all these tests proved negative and following confirmation that the monkey was disease free, it was returned to its owner. As the monkey was born in Ireland, the issue of an import licence did not arise.