Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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216. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to what extent officials of his Department carried out regular and thorough inspections of the horse abattoir at Straffan, County Kildare that was the subject of a recent RTÉ Investigates programme in order to ensure that best practice was at all times observed and that there were no opportunities for the introduction of any alternative procedures; if these inspectors had access to the entire site, and not just the slaughter house, at all times; if the conditions thereat were at all times compliant with international best practice, standards and requirements; whether there were no exceptions, and that cruelty to animals could not occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27667/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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A veterinary presence was maintained at the approved slaughter plant on each day of slaughter to ensure compliance with EU and National regulations related to public health, animal health, and animal welfare. These regulations do not provide for the introduction of any alternative procedures. It is important to clarify that the footage shown in the RTE program focuses on activities at a holding facility close to the slaughter plant, which is not part of the approved premises and would not have been subject to the specific official controls required at the slaughter premises.

There was a full-time Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) presence at the slaughter plant during slaughter hours, carrying out robust official controls on the horses presented for slaughter. These controls included:

• Identity checks comparing horses presented to the passport
• Checks against the DAFM central equine database
• Ante-mortem inspections for welfare and health issues
• Post-mortem inspections

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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217. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in respect of a horse abattoir at Straffan, County Kildare, if inspecting officials from his Department were aware of the conditions shown in a recent RTÉ Investigates programme; if appropriate action was taken; if all possible breaches of regulations as indicated therein have been resolved in terms of animal welfare; if animals have been moved on or off the site in the intervening periods; if regulations controlling the passage of animals to and from the site have been activated; if any part of the site continues to be off limits for inspecting officials; if a full report can be made available in the context of animal welfare, protection of the food chain and what appears a situation whereby animals previously slaughtered reappeared in the food chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27668/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the matters referred to are the subject of an ongoing and active investigation by my Department and consequently I am limited in what I can say.

I can confirm that arising from information received by the Department in late May, some about 3 weeks prior to the broadcast of the 12 June RTE Investigates documentary, the Department initiated an investigation into activities involving the supply of equines for slaughter, and since the Department became aware of this information no animals presented for slaughter at the plant have been permitted to enter the food chain. The Deputy will also be aware that I revoked the approval of the plant on 14 June.

I can confirm that the registered equine holding premises where footages of distressing animal welfare related incidents featured on the RTE Investigates programme has been subject to a legal notice by my Department since late May prohibiting the presence or entry of any animals.

I can confirm that officers continue to have access to both the registered equine holding premises and the adjacent slaughter plant.

While I cannot provide further detail on specific matters related to compliance with relevant welfare or traceability legislation, I wish to assure you that the Department is undertaking a comprehensive investigation into all of these matters with the support of An Garda Siochana