Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 2

Written Answers. - Foot and Mouth Disease.

John Perry

Question:

102 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether business is facing economic meltdown if foot and mouth occurs in the Republic of Ireland, in view of the fact that the £11 billion food export business would be seriously damaged with no guarantee that market share would ever return if Irish products were to have retail shelf space in overseas markets; if she will support a public information campaign to be launched immediately which would include a public information film to be broadcast daily to remind citizens of the potential economic and social impact of foot and mouth disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7236/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

An Bord Bia estimates that Irish food and drink exports in 2000 reached a value of approximately £54 billion. Total exports in all sectors are expected to be in excess of £60 billion for 2000; in the period January to October 2000, the latest period for which figures are available, exports totalled £52.9 billion. Initial estimates issued by the CSO put exports in the month of November at an additional £6.1 billion.

If foot and mouth disease were to enter Ireland, it would have a serious impact on the agri-food business, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. It is not clear how other exporting industries would be affected.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development has put in place a major information campaign to warn the public of the dangers of foot and mouth disease and to advise on how to avoid bringing the disease into Ireland. The Government fully supports him and I will support any further information measures which he deems necessary in order to prevent the spread of foot and mouth to Ireland.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

103 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason the automotive disinfectant spray gullies were removed from seaports; if matters will be reviewed to ensure that all multi-purpose vehicles will be automatically sprayed with appropriate disinfectant solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7062/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

There are four seaports which cater for multipurpose ferries, namely, Cork, Dublin, Dún Laoghaire and Rosslare. Each is managed and operated by a separate commercial State company under the Harbours Acts, 1996-2000, apart from Rossslare which is operated by Irish Rail. I am advised that the following measures are being adopted by the port companies concerned.

In the case of the facilities at Dublin Port, I have been advised that a spray bar was installed in ramp No. 1 in 1967 as at that time the spread of foot and mouth was also a concern. However, through age and non-use, the facility deteriorated and was removed as it was not deemed to be serviceable. The ramps installed in recent years do not have a spray bar facility as this was no longer deemed necessary. In addition to notification measures, the following disinfection measures are currently in place: disinfection mats have been placed in the terminal buildings for all passengers; disinfection mats are in place in all ro/ro terminals for vehicles discharging from vessels; six portable spray units are in operation; disinfection mats have been placed at the grain/agrifeed sector; disinfection mats have been placed at the main entrances and exits to the port.

In addition to the above measures the following are being put in place: installation of seven disinfectant spray systems is under way and due to be operational by today, Wednesday, 7 March 2001 and installation of six disinfectant troughs commenced on 5 March 2001.

In respect of the facilities at Dún Laoghaire Harbour, an automatic spraying mechanism previously existed on the Carlisle Pier. This pier, however, is no longer used for ferry traffic. With regard to the present foot and mouth crisis, measures have been implemented by the management of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company to combat the threat of the disease in full co-operation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development officials.

These measures include disinfectant mats placed in the terminal building, all vehicle passengers being channelled across these mats, six water pumps with associated disinfectant tanks and mats have been set up at arrival gates and disinfectant mats have been placed at the entry and exits points to the HSS passenger baggage vehicle compound and at all staff entrances disinfectant mats have been set up at both pedestrian and vehicle exits.

The Port of Cork Company has confirmed that spray gullies were never removed from the port facilities. All vehicles discharged from ro/ro vessels are sprayed with disinfectant. Matting soaked with disinfectant has been placed at the exit ramps at Ringaskiddy ro/ro berth and at the entrance to the Ringaskiddy bulk terminal.

Rosslare Europort, which is managed and operated by Iarnród Éireann, has confirmed that no automotive disinfectant spray gullies were ever removed from the port. Vehicles are rou tinely sprayed as they disembark from each vessel by means of a spray bar situated at the shore end of each linkspan. Foot passengers must walk over disinfectant mats as they disembark from the gangway and car passengers and lorry drivers must walk over disinfectant mats before they enter the car decks to gain access to their vehicles.

The management at each port is alert to the necessary requirements and is working in close co-operation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and will, in association with officials in my Department, keep procedures under constant review to ensure all necessary protocols are being complied with.