Department’s new investigation unit ‘must not repeat past mistakes’
IFA president Eddie Downey said farmers had lost all faith in the old Special Investigations Unit. He said it wants the new unit to implement the charter of rights which, in the view of farmers, the Special Investigations Unit had failed to follow.
“The decision to establish a new division is welcome,” said Mr Downey. “It recognises the concerns IFA has repeatedly expressed about the unit since I took over as president. The move also reflects the deep unease among farm families about the activities of the Special Investigations Unit.”
He said farmers had no faith in the old unit. He called upon Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney to ensure there is rigorous oversight of the work of the new unit.
“The unit will also have to have the Charter of Rights and the Department Charter as part of its terms of reference. Both were ignored in the past as the Special Investigations Unit rode roughshod over the rights of hard-working farmers. The new unit will have to ensure people being investigated are treated properly, fairly and impartially.”
Unveiling the new division, Mr Coveney said: “I was determined to have a strong, cohesive, consolidated and effective investigation capability to ensure and protect the reputation of the expanding agri-food industry and indeed public funds.”
The new arrangement brings all investigation capability, both internal and external, into one division.
It is headed by a senior superintending veterinary officer, supported by a team of investigators, some of whom are core members of the team, while external expertise will also be called upon.
The new investigations division reports to an investigations steering group chaired by the assistant secretary general responsible for corporate affairs. This group will report to the department, who will decide if the Garda Síochána needs to be alerted to any investigation. This new division includes the functions previously undertaken by the Special Investigations Unit.
Mr Coveney said: “This is vital to Ireland’s reputation internationally. In altering the inspection capability in the manner outlined I am in fact enhancing our capacity to protect Ireland’s international reputation whilst also providing for enhanced governance arrangements in respect of when and how investigations are carried out.
However, ICSA president Patrick Kent said it would have been better to first disband the old Special Investigations Unit, and to publish the findings of an investigation into its failings.
Mr Kent said: “The minister needs to thoroughly investigate where it all went wrong, and publish his findings.... questions need to be answered regarding the amount of time, resources and money that were wasted on pursuing one single live exporter of cattle compared to the investigation of the horsemeat scandal, which has not led to any prosecutions or significant action against the people responsible.”
