Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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610. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if service users and providers will be permitted to have an input in the terms of reference for the cost benefit analysis of the regional veterinary laboratories; and if these bodies will include the IFA, the ICMSA, INHFA, VOA and Impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16759/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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This cost-benefit analysis will be focused on a number of options for the future development of the Regional Veterinary Laboratory network that have been proposed by a Working Group.  In evaluating the benefits of these options, the person(s) undertaking the analysis will have to consider both service delivery to the farming community and improvements to overall disease investigative and surveillance capability. The local managers of the RVLs have been involved in drafting the terms of reference and will be consulted once again when a person(s) is appointed to undertake this work. The outcome of this analysis will be one of the factors that will be taken into account in reaching a decision on how best to develop the network. The Department is also currently engaged in a process of consultation with all relevant stakeholders. Feedback from this consultative process will also inform any decision that is reached.