There are indications that the six regional veterinary laboratories throughout the country may not now be shut.
Among those thought to be facing closure was the laboratory at Dunally, in north Sligo.
Agriculture Minister Michael Creed, who now has a long-awaited cost-benefit analysis of the laboratories, told the Farmers Journal a report will be published in due course and that there are unlikely to be any closures.
He added that there would be improvements and investment in the service delivered to farmers and in the laboratory network.
Sligo Sinn Fein Councillor Chris MacManus has welcomed the minister’s reported comments but added that confirmation of no closures is still awaited:
