Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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588. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the results of his Department’s investigation following the pig farm footage given by an anonymous tip-off on 5 March 2023. [42430/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In March 2024 my Department received material relating to alleged breaches of animal welfare requirements on two Irish pig farms. I can confirm that the material was reviewed by my officials and a follow up investigation was commenced. Enforcement actions as considered necessary and appropriate were taken. The matter is still subject to on-going review and investigation.

I can also confirm to the Deputy that pig farms in Ireland are subject to risk-based animal welfare inspections, as part of official controls carried out under specific pig welfare legislation. My Department is fully committed to promoting and maintaining high animal welfare standards and to continued enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, and other relevant animal welfare legislation.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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589. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions his Department will take following from the RTÉ Prime Time documentary on calves, given that abuse at marts was uncovered by another RTÉ exposé last year; and why the investigation is still pending, with no one prosecuted on animal welfare charges. [42433/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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It is the policy of my Department to investigate all allegations of illegal or criminal behaviour. Even in advance of the broadcast of 8th October, my Department had sought all unedited relevant footage from RTÉ of welfare abuses in the Irish premise's featured and when these are received they will be thoroughly reviewed, analysed and follow-up will be undertaken with all relevant persons as part of the Department's investigation.

My Department's investigation into the animal welfare related incidents that were highlighted in footage broadcast by RTÉ on 10 July 2023 remains ongoing.

This is a complex investigation involving many hours of video footage, multiple locations and multiple persons.

Progressing investigations of this nature does take time, and the Department’s focus remains on ensuring that enforcement action, as appropriate, will be taken once all relevant evidential matters are fully collated, authenticated, and analysed.

Since the investigations into the incidents highlighted in the July 2023 broadcast are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further except to clarify that there is relevant legislation, which is applicable to the alleged offences highlighted, to which a 2-year statute-bound timeframe applies for bringing summary prosecution proceedings.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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590. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine following the RTÉ Prime Time documentary on calves, whether his Department has suspended operations at Hallissey’s; and if not, why not. [42434/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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It is the policy of my Department to investigate all allegations of non compliances with the law. Authorised officers of my Department operate within a legal framework and investigate, gather evidence and as necessary take enforcement actions that are determined to be proportionate effective and dissuasive.

Even in advance of the broadcast of the RTÉ Prime Time documentary on calves on 8 October, my Department had sought all unedited relevant footage from RTÉ in the Irish premise's featured and when these are received they will be thoroughly reviewed, analysed and follow-up will be undertaken with all relevant persons as part of the Department's investigation. The premises referenced has not been suspended - the investigation is ongoing.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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591. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine following the RTÉ Prime Time documentary on calves, if he will provide a timeframe for the investigation given that the length of the previous investigation; and if he will provide additional resources to ensure a more timely outcome. [42435/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that my Department is conducting an examination of the matters that featured in the recent RTÉ Prime Time documentary on calves on 8 October. My Department’s focus will be to ensure that enforcement action, as appropriate, is being taken, once all relevant evidential matters are fully collated, authenticated, and analysed.

It is not possible to put a timeframe for the investigation but I can assure the Deputy that the full rigours of the law will be applied, as appropriate, and at this point in time it is not considered necessary that additional resources are required to conduct this investigation.