Officials unconvinced by Eire’s fresh air

Date: 02/11/1995

Ireland's self-esteem has been restored somewhat by the announcement that Frenchman Jean-Paul Bourjac has been appointed to head the EU's veterinary and plant office, due to open soon in County Meath.

The decision helps end the stalemate which has existed since October 1993 when EU leaders first agreed to transfer the Office of Veterinary and Plant Health Inspection and Control to Ireland from Brussels, where it has carried out its health inspection work on food imports and exports since it was set up in 1991.

Why stalemate? Irish Premier John Bruton was very keen to site the office in Grange, in his Country Meath constituency, but for some reason had problems finding the necessary 40-odd Commission officials eager enough to de-camp to the delightful Irish countryside.

Officially the delay has been caused by “technical problems” over the proposed site. But really there has been concern about moving away to a far corner of the EU, however pretty it may be: County Meath is not in the geographical heart of the Union and can hardly be considered convenient or economical for weekend trips home to the continent. Until the move is concluded and the benefits of rural Ireland are made apparent, the office continues to operate in Brussels.