Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 724: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there was no communication between his Department's veterinary laboratories in Cork and Limerick which ended up having them both closed and unable to carry out examinations on a number of dead calves until after Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41314/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVLs) provide a diagnostic laboratory service to the farming community, including the post mortem examination of aborted bovine foetuses, which involves dealing with infectious diseases. The Cork and Limerick RVLs were in urgent need of upgrade works to comply with environmental standards for the management of laboratory waste. The total estimated spend on both contracts is €414,000. These works commenced during October 2011, with a 10 weeks completion time, during which time it was not possible to accept carcases or foetuses for post mortem examination. The Cork and Limerick RVLs are both expected to re-open fully by the end of the first week in February 2012. A letter was issued to all veterinary practitioners within the catchment area of both laboratories prior to commencement of works. Vets were informed that while carcase material, including foetuses could not be submitted to the laboratory, they were specifically advised as to what samples could be taken from such carcases and could be submitted to the laboratory.

If the attending veterinary practitioner had contacted either the Cork or Limerick RVL indicating the need for a post mortem examination he/she would have been informed that both the Kilkenny and Athlone RVLs were in a position receive and deal with carcases for post mortem examination.