This morning's confirmation to the House of two cases of foot-and-mouth disease in County Louth comes as a major national disappointment. I am of course in full agreement with the statements made earlier today by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
In light of this most unwelcome development, I have today issued to all our diplomatic missions revised instructions to update them on the situation here and, in particular, on the Government's intention to put in place immediately stringent new operational measures to contain the outbreak.
As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I am acutely aware of my Department's role in ensuring that other countries are kept fully aware of the factual position on the foot-and-mouth situation with respect to Ireland.