Before I make a general and detailed statement on the regrettable outbreak of foot and mouth disease which occurred near the town of Wexford last week, I would preface my remarks by saying that I am glad to inform the Dáil that up to the present there have been no unfavourable developments. The local authority veterinary inspector for Wexford district telephoned the Department at mid-day on Thursday, the 16th instant, that he had been called by Mr. Jonathan Jones, of Park, near Wexford town, to examine some sick animals; that he had seen the animals, and thought it was advisable that the animals in question should be seen and examined by an inspector of the Department. The portal inspector in charge at Waterford port was immediately instructed to proceed at once by motor to the premises. The director of the Department's Veterinary Research Station was also instructed to proceed forthwith by motor to examine the animals, and to report to the Department. Shortly after 7 o'clock the latter reported by telephone to the Department that he considered the case a suspicious one and that he had issued all appropriate restriction notices. The Chief Veterinary Inspector was instructed to proceed at once to Wexford.
About noon on Friday this officer confirmed to the Department that it was a case of foot and mouth disease, and at once a corps of veterinary inspectors, in charge of the superintending veterinary officer, was sent by motor to the scene of the outbreak. A stand-still order was made applying to the whole County of Wexford as a special precaution, and a further order was made in this instance, purely as an additional safeguard, forbidding the holding of markets and fairs in the surrounding Counties of Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Wicklow. On Saturday it was thought well, as an extra safeguard for the live stock industry, to prevent by order the sending of any animals from these four counties to the Munster Agricultural Society's Show and sale of breeding stock at Cork on the 22nd and 23rd instant.
All the live stock, save, of course, horses, on the infected premises, namely, 27 cattle, 23 swine, were slaughtered and buried on Saturday, the 18th instant. Post mortem examination of these animals showed that 13 cattle and 4 swine were affected with foot and mouth disease. In-contact animals, though healthy, on neighbouring premises, to the number of 44 cattle, 33 pigs and 1 goat, were slaughtered on Tuesday, the 21st instant. The usual restrictions applicable to a radius of five miles of the infected premises came into operation immediately the outbreak was confirmed. These restrictions and those already mentioned, which were applicable to the entire County of Wexford, entailed the making of provision for the movement by licence of animals intended for immediate slaughter for the meat supply in the county. This need was met by the location at Wexford, New Ross, Enniscorthy, and Gorey of inspectors charged with the duty of issuing such licences. Before animals can be moved under these licences all the stock on the farms whence they come must be examined by a veterinary inspector. Upwards of 5,000 animals in County Wexford have been examined by the investigating and licensing inspectors, and all have been found free from disease. Animals moved from County Wexford since the 1st instant to destinations in other counties in An Saorstát, so far as already traced and examined, have been found to be likewise free from disease.
The Department have strong hopes that the outbreak may prove to be an isolated one, but having regard to the nature of the disease and the history of previous outbreaks in this country and elsewhere, the time has not yet arrived for any relaxation of the restrictions which presently obtain in County Wexford. I would point out that it is not unusual for a so-called secondary outbreak to occur even after a lapse of more than a fortnight from the date of the initial outbreak. The Department have to-day made an order which frees the Counties of Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, and Wicklow from all restrictions from 11 o'clock to-night. This will enable bulls and boars entered from those counties for the Royal Dublin Society's Show and Sale on Tuesday and Wednesday next to travel to Ballsbridge on and after to-morrow. Arrangements will, unless unfavourable developments intervene, be made for the movement of bulls and boars from that show and sale under special licences into County Wexford next week. The new order made to-day will permit the resumption of fairs and markets in the four counties adjoining County Wexford as from to-morrow, Saturday.
The British Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries notified the Department on Tuesday last that they were prepared to allow the landing of live stock for slaughter within 96 hours at the landing places at Glasgow, Birkenhead and Manchester from all Irish ports save the port of Waterford and the ports in County Wexford. On the following day the British Ministry added Holyhead and Fishguard to the list of British landing places at which animals from the Irish ports might be landed for slaughter within 96 hours. I may say that the Department have had the whole-hearted and loyal co-operation of all concerned in their efforts to control the outbreak. I would take this opportunity of acknowledging the ready and valuable assistance which the Department have received from the Gárda Síochána who, immediately the outbreak was confirmed, sent reinforcements into County Wexford and immediately instituted and have since maintained a rigorous watch on the boundaries of that county by means of a special contact patrol system which operates day and night. The Department's own staff, technical and administrative, have, needless to say, spared no pains to control the outbreak.
The Dáil adjourned at 4 p.m. to Wednesday, 29th February, at 3 p.m.