Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1215.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to address the animal welfare and food safety issues exposed by an RTÉ documentary (details supplied).[34021/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, in conjunction with the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation is carrying out animal welfare and traceability investigations into activities associated with the facility referred to and its surrounds.

The approval of the plant has been revoked on the grounds of animal welfare, food safety and traceability.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1216.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that are being taken to ensure that any horses that remain on the land owned by a company or a person (details supplied) are being appropriately cared for; and if veterinary visits are taking place.[34022/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the person mentioned is subject to legal notices from my Department to ensure that obligations under law to safeguard the welfare of horses under his care are met, and that this includes veterinary care. I can also confirm that my Department continues to closely monitor and verify compliance by the operator with the legal notices in place.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1217.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1670 of 23 July 2024, under which piece of legislation the control notices are issued, in the response provided the Minister states “has been subject to a legal notice since late May prohibiting the presence or entry of any horses”, and given that it was stated at the PAC that Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have confirmed that there is no animal welfare investigation; the reason Department officials said there was an animal welfare investigation in previous meetings; the reason there is ambiguity; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34076/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The notice, dated 27th May 2024, was issued pursuant to Section 42 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

I wish to clarify any misunderstandings that may have arisen around the scope and nature of the current investigation by stating, unequivocally, that equine traceability and welfare issues will all form part of the ongoing investigation, by my Department, in conjunction with the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

I also wish to confirm that that my Department moved very quickly to correct the PAC record to clarify that scope of the current investigations to include both traceability and welfare matters.