The results of tests carried out on samples taken from the two Irish factories involved in the burger controversy are expected to be known later today.
It is hoped that this may go some way towards explaining how horse meat and traces of pig ended up in burgers for sale in supermarkets around Ireland and Britain.
After the Department of Agriculture became aware that burgers from two Irish processors were found to contain horse meat and traces of pig meat, vets were sent in to establish how it happened.
They took samples and carried out tests at the two plants involved; Silvercrest Foods in Ballybay and Liffey Meats in Ballyjamesduff.
It usually takes about 48 hours for the samples to be analysed and it is expected the department will get the results this evening. It is likely they will then be made public.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny says it is important that the burger meat controversy is dealt with clearly, quickly and comprehensively.
Mr Kenny said the results of further tests from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland are expected this evening.
He said the tests carried out here were very detailed, and of a higher standard than in many other countries.
He said it was important to maintain the high standard and reputation of Irish meat.
He said the issue had been "very properly handled" by the Department of Agriculture and Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has asked why the Minister for Agriculture was not informed about positive tests for horse meat in burgers when they were first discovered in November.
During Leaders Questions in the Dáil, Mr Martin asked whether it was acceptable that Minister Coveney was only informed on Monday of the results of tests which were conducted in November.
Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin said the Food Safety Authority had conducted tests in November, and again in December, but the "conclusive results", from a German laboratory, only arrived on Friday.
He said the controversy showed that procedures are working, because the problem was detected.
Minister Howlin claimed the Irish system of food testing was "the best in the world", and compared it to Britain, which does not carry out the same level of testing.
Meanwhile, Tesco has taken out prominent adverts in most of today's newspapers stating: "We and our supplier have let you down and we apologise."
Elsewhere Britain's food watchdog, the Food Standards Agency, is considering whether legal action should be taken against companies at the centre of the scandal.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food in Britain, David Heath, has said there may be criminal proceedings following the discovery of horsemeat in beef burgers there.
He was answering an urgent question in the House of Commons on the British government's response to the finding of horse meat in supermarket meat products.
Labour wanted to know why the discovery was not made by food standard authorties in Britain.
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