The Minister for Agriculture declined to comment on a Garda investigation into a licensed beef processing plant, writes Michael O'Regan.
Ms Coughlan said the investigation into "certain practices" had taken place following preliminary results of an investigation conducted by a team from her Department.
"The nature of the investigation that led to the involvement of the Garda centred on the company's compliance with the terms of specifications for the non-EU market concerned," said Ms Coughlan.
"Such specifications are additional to those that apply in normal trade within the EU and form part of certification procedures agreed between the exporting and importing countries.
"In the case referred to, the issue relates to the extent to which the company in question adhered to these specifications. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter while the Garda investigation is ongoing."
Pressed by the Labour spokeswoman on agriculture, Dr Mary Upton, to give further details, the Minister said: "There was an export and we have been advised the beef did not meet the age or sex criteria and some of it exceeded the 36 months condition."
Earlier, Ms Upton suggested that there were "shades of the beef tribunal" about the case. She added that Ireland had recently mended fences with Russia on exports following the BSE crisis and it was a great shame, having successfully reopened that market, that it should happen.
Ms Coughlan said she had been advised that a substantial proportion of the beef in a particular category did not meet the criteria set down.
"However, I emphasise the Department's vigilance in the light of this disappointment. Examinations were carried out in other plants that have certification for that market and I have been assured there is no evidence of widespread breaches."
The Minister said that the company in question had been suspended indefinitely from supplying to the Republic. "Controls relating to all aspects of this trade have been tightened in every plant that has certification. The European Commission has been informed."