Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1834. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that are taken by his Department on foot of complaints or allegations around damage caused by herbicide or pesticide spraying on farms; if inspectors routinely take soil or water samples to test for the presence of chemical following such complaints; if this does not occur at present, if it would be considered in the future; the actions that are taken on foot of a specific allegation of crop and insect damage from spraying activities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1277/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is the competent authority for pesticides in Ireland. All pesticide-related complaints are investigated by officers authorised under various Statutory Instruments having regard to the applicable legislative framework.

Authorised officers may, if considered necessary or appropriate, take samples as part of an investigation.  Currently, there are no plans to alter the existing procedures.

A thorough investigation was conducted by my Department into the specific complaint alleged and no non-compliances with the relevant regulations were identified. 

My Department continues to verify compliance with pesticide legislation and takes seriously any complaints or allegations of non-compliance and will continue to do so in the future.