asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if there are any circumstances in which he is prepared to abandon present policy for the control of foot-and-mouth disease by slaughter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
69.
I cannot foresee any circumstances in which I would be prepared to abandon the present policy for the control of foot-and-mouth disease by slaughter.
The Minister is aware that this is a real issue in the negotiations, despite the minimal answer he has given. I asked him to make a statement on the matter. I take it that he has now given an unequivocal answer that under no circumstances are we prepared to abandon our current method of controlling foot-and-mouth disease?
That is correct.
If agreement cannot be reached in the negotiations between the Council and the Minister's spokesman, can the Minister state what course of action he will take in this matter?
The Deputy is asking me to speculate. I said in my reply that I cannot foresee any circumstances in which we would abandon our present system with regard to foot-and-mouth disease. That is the current situation. The general position is being considered at present and is the subject of negotiation. I do not think the Deputy is being helpful in raising the question in the manner he has adopted.
I should like to inform the Minister that I wish to be helpful and to strengthen his position if possible. I cannot see any harm being done to Ireland's position by referring to this matter in public. I am glad to see that the Minister has given an unequivocal answer to this matter. It was not my intention to be unhelpful. My question is not hypothetical because we have seen circumstances where the Council have been unwilling to move from a negotiating position. Can the Minister state if contingency plans have been prepared in the event of impossibility to reconcile Ireland's position and that of the Council?
Our position in regard to the method by which we handle foot-and-mouth disease is clear. I have said twice that I cannot foresee any circumstances that will force us to abandon that position.