Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if officials from her Department carried out inspections of laboratories used for animal experimentation in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3713/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Statutory responsibility for legislation on the use of animals for experimental or other scientific purposes as 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) falls within the remit of my colleague 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. Following recent discussions between my Department and the Department of Health and Children, inspections of some of these facilities have been undertaken by officers from my Department in recent months.