asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if any civil or criminal proceedings have been taken or are proposed to be taken regarding irregular claims for APS and export refunds in two meat factories which were referred to in the Appropriation Accounts for 1987; and the total amount of money involved in these irregularities.

The question of instituting civil proceedings will depend on the outcome of efforts to recover the moneys concerned in the irregular APS and export refund claims referred to together with the financial sanctions provided by EC regulations. The case has been referred to the Garda for investigation and the question of instituting criminal proceedings will be a matter for decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions following completion of the Garda investigation. The total amount involved is approximately £1 million.