I thank the Minister for his reply. Most small abattoirs must conform to the standards of an export licensed premises without grant aid. Perhaps the Minister will comment on the fact that most small abattoir owners inform me that the conditions in relation to abattoirs change every year and investment which would have been good enough to get a licence last year or the year before would not be good enough now. Many abattoirs will be forced to close because they did not receive a definitive set of regulations when they started business. Is it planned that under certain conditions, abattoir owners with under 1,000 livestock units will get grant aid?

I will answer the last question first. That is a financial and budgetary matter.

It is not.

A number of amendments have been made to the Abattoirs Act, 1988. The Deputy is aware that in 1997 there was an order to extend the application of the Abattoirs Act, 1988, to include the slaughter of ratite or running birds, ostriches, emus and rheas. In 1997 an amendment was made to provide for the application of the health mark by a veterinary inspector on the meat of these birds. Amendments made in 1998 laid down the requirements for the construction and operation of abattoirs slaughtering ratite birds and provided for the carrying out of ante and post-mortem examinations on slaughtered ratite birds. Regulations were also introduced to amend the grounds upon which animals or meat may be declared to be unfit for human consumption to include the condition of the hide, fleece or skin of an animal. This relates to the point raised by the Deputy about clean cattle which is important for safety and quality. Another amendment to the Act was made by order in 1998 to address refrigeration and the bleeding and dressing of the animals.

Those are the amendments to the Abattoirs Act, 1988, which were a cause of concern to small abattoir owners. We must protect the consumer. As the Deputy is aware, in the past four or five years many changes have taken place as people have become more consumer conscious. It is all about the safety of the product and quality.

Everyone accepts we must maintain standards, which is what most abattoir owners are doing. Will the Minister give an undertaking to the House that conditions will be laid down as of now so that when owners invest in their premises the regulations will not be changed within a specified time after they make an investment and before they get a licence? Does the Minister think that abattoirs under 1,000 units should be grant aided in some form?

That is a matter for the Department of Finance and the budget.

What does the Minister of State think?

That will be addressed if necessary.

The Minister of State has no opinion on it.

On the regulations governing abattoirs, I cannot give a guarantee they will not change. Many changes have taken place, especially in 1996, of which Deputy Connaughton is aware.

The goalposts are being moved.

The goalposts are not being moved. The changes are taking place to regulate the industry. Safety and the protection of the consumer are our priorities.

Given the high incidence of e.coli at present, will the Minister consider giving grant aid to improve hygiene standards?

Hygiene is always important in the meat industry. We are aware of the problems for the consumer. Regulations and procedures are in place as regards the handling of cold, fresh and hooked meats. If they are adhered to there will be no more problems in any delicatessens or butchers' shops.

Will the Minister give grant aid?

I answered that question. It is a budgetary matter.

What is the Department's opinion?

What does the Minister think about it?