Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will confirm that veterinary staff of her Department carry out visits to registered user establishments licensed for animal experiments; the number of inspections that have taken place each year between 1997 and 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40576/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The use of animals for experimental or other scientific purposes is regulated under EU and national legislation (respectively Council Directive 86/609/EEC and the European Communities (Amendment to Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876) Regulations, 1994) which legislation falls within the remit of the Minister for Health and Children. In the past, current and recently retired members of my Department's veterinary staff carried out inspection visits on behalf of the Department of Health and Children. All reports were made to the Department of Health and Children and consequently there is no data on them held in my Department.