Joe Walsh (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 772: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of authorised officers in her Department dealing with equine passport controls; the number of spot checks carried out to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14723/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has to date concentrated on a publicity campaign to remind the public of the requirements for identification documents for horses. In the context of developing the processes for deploying the authorized officers my Department noted that there is a need to enhance the powers of the officers, which will entail an amendment to the 2004 Regulations. The Regulations are therefore, being examined in my Department with a view to making appropriate amendments extending the powers of the authorised officers. It is hoped to complete this work over the coming weeks and to assign officers with enhanced powers to the work of monitoring compliance with these regulations.