Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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670. To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding rodent legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5366/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Section 1 of the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act 1919 states that any person who shall fail to take such steps as may from time to time be necessary and reasonably practicable for the destruction of rats and mice on or in any land of which he is the occupier (meaning in the case of land not occupied by any tenant or other person, the owner of the land) or for preventing such land from becoming infested with rats or mice, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine.

If an authorised officer of the HSE is of the opinion that the occupier of any land has failed to take such steps as are required above, a notice may be served on the occupier requiring him to take such steps as are prescribed in the notice within a time specified therein or enter upon the land and take such steps as are necessary and reasonably practicable for the purpose of destroying the rats and mice on the land or of preventing the land from becoming infested with rats and mice, and may recover any reasonable expenses so incurred from the occupier of the land summarily as a civil debt. Evidence in relation to a failure under Section 1 is required to support the action outlined above.

I have been advised by the HSE that an inspection took place on 22 November 2013 but there was no evidence that the premises was non-compliant with the provisions of the Act. Another inspection of the vacant premises has been scheduled to be carried out during February 2014.