Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of complaints to his Department regarding factories based in Nobber, County Meath; the procedures in place for responding to these complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33138/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Manufacturing premises, factories and other such establishments may be subject to regulation by a variety of public bodies, including for example Local Authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies including my Department in some instances.

From time to time my Department receives complaints in relation to a range of matters concerning a wide variety of establishments, including establishments under the supervision of the Department. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the number of complaints, if any, received relating to a specific geographic area of the country. In general however I can assure the Deputy that there is a formal procedure for handling complaints and that all complaints received are investigated thoroughly.

Complaints should initially be made to the senior officer in charge of the area to which the problem relates. If a customer is not satisfied with the response received, the complaint can be pursued with my Department's Quality Service Officer. This can be done in person, by telephone or in writing to the Quality Service Unit, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Grattan Business Centre, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois — telephone 057 86 94331.

The Quality Service Officer will have the complaint fully and impartially investigated by an officer who was not involved in the matter giving rise to the complaint. Complaints to the Quality Service Officer are recorded and monitored to identify areas requiring improvement. If customers remain unhappy with the outcome of their complaint, they can appeal or make a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman.