Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2024
334. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether any official or agent of his Department has been redeployed within his Department or stood down or not re-contracted or had their duties altered in any way with regard to a facility (details supplied) and-or broader issues within the equine and equine-food industry; if so, the number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27837/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraNormally one Veterinary Inspector and two technical officers from the region would be assigned for duty at Shannonside Foods on a slaughter day. These officers have duties in other Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine approved facilities and are assigned to Shannonside only on the slaughter day and in the case of a technical officer, to supervise loading out of carcases.
Following the cessation of operations at the premises it has not been necessary to assign staff to the slaughterhouse on a full-time basis. Temporary Veterinary Inspectors occasionally engaged for ante-mortem and post-mortem duties will not be contracted for the duration of the closure of the premises.
