Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

326. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish the departmental reports into the revelations outlined in a newspaper article of 24 June 2024 regarding microchips at a facility (details supplied) reportedly alerted by a veterinary inspector at the plant on 13 March 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27829/24]

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

327. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department notified the Garda in the matter of tampering, duplication or any other activity regarding microchips apparently notified to it regarding equine slaughter in 2018; if not, the reasons for that decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27830/24]

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

331. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his attention was first drawn to issues with microchips in the horse slaughter industry in the State; the immediate and continued actions he took on foot of that information to resolve the situation, to prevent a recurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27834/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 326, 327 and 331 together.

I can confirm that my Department provided support to a three-year investigation undertaken and led by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) which has resulted in the DPP directing that 5 individuals be prosecuted. The case relates to a variety of offences that occurred in the 2017 – 2019 period involving organised deception and fraudulent practices including the tampering of identification passports and microchips of horses presented at an equine slaughter plant in Kilkenny which is no longer in operation. The accused persons are to face trial before Kilkenny Circuit Court at a future date.

The press article referred to contains a number of factual errors including which facility the concerns regarding microchips were first raised.

My Department cannot disclose further details in relation to these matters as they relate to upcoming court proceedings.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

328. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the frequency with which operators' licences are examined or assessed in the lifetime of their duration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27831/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Slaughter plants are audited on an annual basis to monitor compliance with their conditions of approval under SI 22/2020.

The licence is reviewed during this audit.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

329. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of licences issued to persons (details supplied) in the matter of equine handling and-or slaughter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27832/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is understood that the question refers to Certificates of Competence in relation to Animal Welfare Officers.

Article 17 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing requires slaughterhouses to designate an animal welfare officer to assist them in ensuring compliance with the rules laid down in the Regulation. These animal welfare officers are responsible for the supervision of animal welfare and must hold Certificates of Competence in the operations for which they are responsible.

Certificates of Competence may be awarded to slaughter plant operatives who demonstrate that they have undergone an approved course in Animal Welfare at Slaughter.

The applicant for a Certificate of Competence must sign a written declaration confirming that he/she has not been convicted within the three years preceding the date of application of any infringement in relation to the protection of animals under national or EU law.

With regard to the two persons named, following verification of applications submitted, a Certificate of Competence issued to the first named individual on 21^st April 2017. A Certificate of Competence issued to the second named individual on 16^th February 2017.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

330. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department did not revoke and-or temporarily halt the operating licence of a facility (details supplied); when his Department was made aware of microchip issues at the plant, indicating a possible risk to the food chain and Ireland’s reputation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27833/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

About 3 weeks prior to the broadcast of the 12 June RTÉ Investigates documentary my Department was provided with information that related to the supply of equines for slaughter to the plant in question and alleged breaches of animal welfare and traceability legislation. Upon receipt of that information an investigation into activities involving the supply of equines for slaughter was initiated immediately by my Department with the support and assistance of An Garda Síochána. It would not have been appropriate for the Department to take escalated action against the plant operator until there was visual evidence to substantiate the general and non-specific information that had been provided to it, and when this became available my Department acted very swiftly, by revoking the plant’s approval two days after the broadcast.

Notwithstanding this, after the Department had been provided with specific information on this matter, it took appropriate action to ensure that no animals that were presented for slaughter were permitted to enter the food chain. This included the issuing of legal notice detaining all carcases presented for slaughter on 5 June. Following the conclusion of the Department’s investigation on this specific matter it had ordered the destruction of these carcasses. An appeal against this by the plant operator was denied in Limerick District Court on 19 June, with the court upholding the decision of the Department. I can now confirm that, under supervision by my Department, all these carcasses were transported for destruction to a rendering plant on Friday 28 June.