Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2024
326. Deputy Réada Cronin asked 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]
View answer327. Deputy Réada Cronin asked 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]
View answer331. Deputy Réada Cronin asked 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]
View answerI 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.
