James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a company (details supplied) in County Longford has been forced to bear financial losses of approximately €30,000 in relation to animals on hand at the time of her Department officials' investigation of an incident in which the manager of the company was charged with 39 charges with regard to the unlawful removal of ear tags from animals, switching ear tags and so on to the detriment of the company; the further reason her Department did not make every effort to ensure a satisfactory conviction of this person in view of the potential risk to health, the potential spread of disease, the eradication of customers trust and the bringing of the integrity of the livestock industry into disrepute caused by the actions of this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17017/08]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason her Department has not reimbursed a company (details supplied) in County Longford for the full costs of an investigation they inflicted on them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17018/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Parliamentary Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together.

The criminal investigation referred to was carried out by the Gardaí in 2000 into certain actions of a former employee of the company. The criminal prosecution in this matter was brought by the DPP on indictment. In view of this, officials of my Department did not have responsibility for the prosecution and it would be inappropriate of me to comment on a criminal investigation within the remit of the Gardaí and DPP.

My Department does not consider that it has any obligation to reimburse any costs that may have been incurred by individuals or companies arising out of this criminal investigation.