Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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423. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the cost-benefit analysis of the regional veterinary laboratories; when a decision will issue on a laboratory in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8063/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Following a competitive tender process, my Department has commissioned RSM Ireland to undertake a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of options that have been proposed for the future development of the Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVLs). The team conducting the CBA includes internationally recognised, independent experts in economic analysis and animal disease surveillance.  It is expected to complete its work in mid-2018, after which a report and recommendations will be presented to me. 

To date no decision has been taken in respect of the options proposed for the RVLs, including the RVL in county Sligo. My Department completed an initial consultative process with all relevant stakeholders on the options for the RVLs during the course of last year. Any decision that is made on the RVLs will be informed by both that consultative process and the outcome of the CBA.