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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 4

Written Answers - Tourist Attractions Restrictions.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

76 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the criteria and categories of high to low risk which obtain for the closure of tourist attractions due to the threat of foot and mouth disease; and her forecast for the 2001 tourism season regarding access to Dúchas controlled areas. [10781/01]

The expert group established by my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, to consider the range of foot and mouth disease controls which are in place made a number of recommendations in relation to the holding of events. Events have been classified into categories according to the perceived risk of the spread of foot and mouth disease. The opening of visitor centres managed by Dúchas, the Heritage Service of my Department, is being determined by reference to the recommendations which have been made by the expert group. Events which are considered to have a low risk of the spread of the disease fall within category 1 and include gatherings of people in defined locations with no access to agricultural land or susceptible livestock. The visitor centres which fall within this category and which were due to open have opened to the public and those centres in this category which are due to open in the next two months will also do so. Events which are considered to present a greater risk of the spread of the disease fall within categories 2 and 3 and include events which take place on land and involve people only and events which involve animals, respectively. Some visitor centres fall within category 2 and in cases where susceptible animals have not accessed the land since 1 February 2001, the centres have re-opened or will open at the normal time. The expert group is being consulted in relation to those centres where susceptible animals may have had access since 1 February and measures are being taken to prevent further access. No visitor centres fall within category 3.

While the prevention of foot and mouth disease is of paramount importance, I am confident that, provided the measures recommended by the expert group are implemented and that there is no change in the circumstances, it will be possible this year to open practically all the visitor centres managed by the heritage service of my Department. As of Easter Sunday, 30 of the 39 sites which would normally be open at this time will be open.
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