Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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452. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to re-configure the State veterinary laboratory services; and downsize or close his Department's regional veterinary laboratories at Fawcetts Bridge, Doonally, County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20806/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Despite recent media speculation, there are no plans to close any of my Department’s Regional Veterinary Laboratories. A working group has been established to review the best way to provide laboratory diagnostic services to farmers and this continues to be our priority. As would be expected they are looking at a range of options on how best to do this and will make their recommendations in due course. However, as I have publicly stated previously, I do not intend to close any regional veterinary laboratories.

Therefore my Department’s Regional Veterinary Laboratory at Fawcetts Bridge, Doonally, County Sligo will continue to operate as heretofore. It will continue to provide a range of laboratory diagnostic support services to the farming community in the North West region through the private veterinary practitioners attending their herds and flocks.

The working group undertaking the Review of Laboratories is considering all of the Department’s laboratories, including the central laboratory complex at Backweston and eight laboratories located at other sites around the country. The Group was convened in January 2015, under an external chairman, Professor Alan Reilly, with the following Terms of Reference:

1. To define the laboratory services and expertise that the Department requires at present and in the foreseeable future;

2. To consider how these laboratory services and expertise can best be delivered; and

3. To outline an implementation plan, including timescale, for proposed changes.

A report from this group is expected in due course.