Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health the date on each of the current Certificate Gs, which permit severe and prolonged pain in animal experiments, setting the end of the period in which each Certificate G will be in force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46237/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Irish legislation governing the protection of animals used for scientific purposes only allows for the issue of a "G" Certificate in very exceptional circumstances. An application for a "G" Certificate must be signed by statutory signatories and must certify that the proposed experiment is of sufficient importance in terms of meeting the essential needs of human beings or animals to justify issue of such a Certificate. Both of the "G" Certificates referred to by the Deputy are in respect of research experiments to develop substances to improve neuromuscular transmission for therapeutic purposes – the outcomes of this research will help to develop treatments to improve motor and sensory functions in humans. One of the "G" Certificates expires on 10 July, 2013 and the second "G" Certificate expires on 1 December, 2014.