Kildare North TD Catherine Murphy said locals living near the plant were complaining about conditions for a long time.
Should there not have been rigorous oversight of the equine abattoir in Straffan, especially considering there is only one in the country?
That's the question being asked by Kildare North TD Catherine Murphy at a public accounts committee meeting currently underway.
Deputy Murphy said locals living near the plant were complaining about conditions for a long time.
She said the Department of Agriculture is the regulator and should have been more thorough in investigating reports.
In response, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer with the Department, Michael Sheahan, said the department received five complaints since 2018 and that there were no complaints about the slaughter house.
He said the complaints were about lame horses, thin horses and not about horses being beaten.
"We have done plenty of soul searching," he said.
The Department of Agriculture will not reveal where horses are being relocated following the suspension of activity at a plant run by Shannonside Foods in Straffan.
In a statement to Kfm, a spokesperson for the Department said they "cannot provide any further detailed comment, as matters are subject to active investigation".
€1.2m Approved For Zipline And High Ropes Adventure Centre At Donadea
Fury After Sallins Sunshine Club Misses Out On Funding As Other Counties Get Millions
Christmas Appeal To Adopt Dogs As Euthanasia Figures Rise
Speed Enforcement To Increase In Kildare With 21 New Camera Zones To Be Rolled Out In January
Over 400 Motorists Caught Speeding So Far Today, Including A Driver In Kilcock
Transport Minister In Discussions With Irish Rail About Extending Late-Night Trains Beyond Christmas
Bus Shelters Treated As Luxury Rather Than Standard, With 500 Kildare Bus Stops In Need Of Upgrades
Recruitment Announcements Don’t Add Up As Garda Numbers Stagnant In Kildare South, Says Local TD
