Vol. 533 No. 3
296 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the impact of foot and mouth disease on sports clubs and players; if he will consider compensation for clubs which have suffered financial losses; and when he expects local sporting fixtures to resume. [8737/01]
First, I acknowledge the extraordinary efforts that have been made by the general public, business, sporting and voluntary organisations in playing their part regarding the prevention of the spread of foot and mouth disease. This effort is all the more important now that a case of FMD has been confirmed in this country. While there are no proposals to compensate clubs, the Deputy should be aware that disease controls announced on Friday 16 March by my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and reaffirmed by the expert group on foot and mouth disease on 22 March last, have enabled a significant number of low risk events and activities in the sports area to recommence.
