Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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323. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a copy of his Department’s submissions to the immigrant investor programme evaluation committee on the application for proposed development of a meat processing facility in Banagher, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29335/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has a statutory responsibility to approve slaughter plants in accordance with the European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2020. With regard to any proposed additional processing facilities, I would urge those involved to engage with my Department veterinary officials at an early stage in order to understand and address the requirements for approval to be registered with DAFM and to operate as a meat establishment under EU and Irish law.

In relation to the proposed development referenced by the Deputy, my Department's submission to the Committee referenced reflected the state of play at that time, in December 2019.

My Department has now, in recent days, received the full application in relation to the proposed development. My Department is currently assessing the submitted documentation and will be in contact with the proposed plant operators in due course regarding the outcome of this assessment.