James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 949: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a meat supplier, which has had the advantage of State aid, is permitted to open butcher shops, selling below cost, in competition with local butchers, in the case of a butcher (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1134/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The company in question has recently opened a retail outlet. This outlet is not however part of the company's meat processing establishment, which is approved by my Department under the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 432 of 2009). The Health Service Executive is the appropriate registering authority for such a retail outlet.

Grant assistance provided by my Department under the Beef and Sheepmeat Investment Fund was not awarded to retail premises or for developments at retail level and all eligible projects were assessed and evaluated according to strict commercial and technical criteria.