Written answers

Thursday, 12 December 2013

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Animal Disease Controls

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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188. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which veterinary or laboratory facilities anticipated at Backweston, Celbridge, County Kildare have been put in place to date; the degree to which this provides adequate facilities sufficient to meet requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53577/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The laboratory facilities at Backweston are capable of meeting the vast majority of my Department’s analytical and diagnostic requirements. Amelioration works in one area, the category 4 containment laboratories, are in progress with a view to bringing that laboratory into operation. The initial phase of these works will be completed in January of 2014. These preliminary works will be used to prepare a tender specification to complete the final phase of this project and ensure that this containment laboratory will meet the exacting standards required to achieve the category 4 containment status. Tendering for these additional works will take place in the first quarter of 2014.

These additional works will provide my Department with the additional containment facilities necessary to control the presence of exotic animal diseases that may be introduced into Ireland and is required to confirm Ireland’s existing high animal health status.

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