Page 108 of the programme for Government states "The next generation of farmers must be supported, to generate farm income, while positioning Ireland as the highest quality food producing nation in the world", which is the standard to which we all aspire to maintain Brand Ireland. There is huge concern in Limerick and elsewhere that the six remaining veterinary laboratories may be under threat of closure by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The laboratory in Limerick serves counties Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and most of County Kerry. It would be a significant impediment to good farming practice if these laboratories were to be closed and would impact on our food quality and our branding in that regard. I appreciate the Tánaiste may not be in a position to respond to this but could she ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the position regarding these six laboratories around Ireland, including the one in Limerick, and the threat of closure because the farming community is very worried?

The Deputy has raised a key issue, which the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been addressing. The Department recently received a report from Professor Alan Reilly with a range of recommendations about how this issue should be addressed. The report examined the oversight and co-ordination of the laboratory activities, the reorganisation of the structures and functions within the central laboratory complex and options for the future development of the regional laboratories with a view to improving disease investigative and surveillance capability with the overriding imperative of maintaining and enhancing services to farmers. The Department is considering this issue.