The issues of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, as well as recalled hand sanitiser, will come up for discussion tomorrow (Tuesday, November 24), when Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue comes before a committee of TDs and senators.
Minister McConalogue will be speaking to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to discuss a motion on the racing fund and the process relating to the ViraPro hand sanitiser recall.
The department recently ordered a recall of the ViraPro hand sanitiser products from shelves and schools after it was discovered they contained methanol rather than ethanol, potentially leading to a number of serious health consequences.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, committee chairperson Jackie Cahill said: “It is clear that the removal of ViraPro from health facilities and schools caused much alarm, and any insight from the minister regarding the decision, and the process which led to it, will be of significant interest to many, especially those who are part of the school community, whether it be staff, students or parents.
“The department is also in the midst of a review regarding the matter, and we look forward to the conclusion of the investigation when findings are published,” the Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD added.
In addition, the appearance of Minister McConalogue for the consideration of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund regulations is something which occurs annually, and follows on from its referral from the Dáil and Seanad recently.
“In due course the joint committee will revert to both houses,” Cahill noted.