Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1618.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason no actions were taken in relation to repeated reports of animal cruelty at a plant (details supplied); if the owner was warned of inspections before they occurred; and the reason, given these reports, and the history of animal cruelty charges, officials were not made aware of any animal welfare issues at the plant. [31081/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and appropriate enforcement action is undertaken where breaches or shortcomings are identified.

Five complaints were received by my Department's animal welfare helpline in relation to animals at lands adjacent to the facility in question between 2018 and 2023. These were investigated by veterinary staff of my Department, to which the animal keeper responded.

Separately the Department had a presence at the specific slaughter facility referred to on days of slaughter and all animals presented for slaughter at the facility were subject to ante-mortem inspection, which included an evaluation of their welfare. All reports of welfare issues received by my Department, including alleged breaches of the animal welfare legislation, are acted upon and investigated.