I now come to Private Notice Questions to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development on the need to have steps taken to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease. I will call on the Deputies who tabled questions to the Minister in the order in which they submitted their questions to my office.
Private Notice Questions. - Foot and Mouth Disease.
asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he proposes to introduce special disinfecting measures at ports and airports to help prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the additional steps being taken to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease to Ireland; the steps being taken to deal with reports of inadequate checks at airports and ports; his views regarding major forthcoming sporting events in Britain which are likely to attract considerable numbers from Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the further measures he will implement to reduce the risk of foot and mouth disease spreading here; and if he will ban the importation of horses.
Mr. Hayes
asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the total volume of livestock imported here over the past three weeks; if this stock has been monitored; if he has considered a slaughtering policy in respect of all imported livestock; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the steps he is taking to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
(Dublin West) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will make a statement on the measures being implemented to prevent foot and mouth disease spreading here; the reason for the Government's delay in implementing comprehensive preventive measures to date; and the lessons to be learned from the present outbreak regarding agricultural practices.
asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will make a statement on the current foot and mouth disease crisis and the way in which the agricultural sector needs to put in place measures to bring about sustainable food production, minimal animal movements and ultimately to have local production for local needs to the greatest extent possible.
I propose to take all the Private Notice Questions together.
I am grateful for this opportunity to deal with this issue with regard to the foot and mouth disease outbreak in Great Britain where the situation is deteriorating on a daily basis and posing a growing threat to Ireland. The House will recall the first outbreak of this disease was confirmed in Essex in the south east of England on 20 February last. Since then, cases have been confirmed at 15 other locations throughout Great Britain, including one in Anglesea today. I understand other suspect cases are under investigation in Great Britain.
As I have said repeatedly, I am acutely aware of the potential risk to Irish agriculture and the economy generally from these developments, in particular, the cases in Anglesea and Devon. The disease is highly contagious and we have taken a range of measures to avoid the enormous econ omic consequences of an outbreak here. These measures have been introduced in such a way as to address the areas of greatest potential risk and these have been enhanced as the situation evolved. I assure the House that whatever further actions may be required will be taken.
The measures taken up to today include a temporary ban on all imports from the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer and a range of animal products from such animals from 21 February. Staff from my Department throughout the country were put on alert last Wednesday while arrangements were made with the Garda Síochána and the Army authorities for appropriate resources to be sent immediately to the Border areas. Advice notices were issued to the industry last Thursday on the implications of the ban. Last Friday, a voluntary ban was imposed on livestock marts in Border counties and on hunting. Advice to the general public on the disease and its implications were included in extensive versions of week-end newspapers and staff of my Department were on duty over the weekend to assist the public. Since 1 February, imports of live sheep from Great Britain have been monitored and the sheep will now be slaughtered. Arrangements were put in place from the outset to ensure disinfection of vehicles and people occurred at entry points. These arrangements were enhanced over the weekend and significant resources have now been diverted to ensure disinfection arrangements are properly enforced. I believe this is now the position at all relevant entry points. Advice is being given to the general public on specific areas in relation to the measures required to minimise the risk of introducing the disease. Yesterday, a temporary nationwide ban was announced on sales at livestock marts and controls on the importation of used farm machinery from Great Britain. Today, the Minister announced a series of additional measures in light of the deteriorating situation in Great Britain. With effect from midnight tonight, the importation of horses and greyhounds from Great Britain will be banned. This measure will not apply to Northern Ireland for the time being. There has been strong advice to the Irish Rugby Football Union to postpone until further notice the Ireland versus Wales Six Nations international rugby match scheduled for Saturday, 3 March, together with the A and under-21 internationals and all associated matches between Irish sides and Wales over the coming weekend. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development is also requesting the IRFU to advise Irish rugby supporters not to travel to Wales this weekend. The IRFU shares the Minister's concern regarding the foot and mouth outbreak in the UK.
The Minister has also requested that all horse racing, including point to point events, and all greyhound events be cancelled until further notice. He has advised that Irish horses and their connections do not travel to the forthcoming Cheltenham racing festival and that Irish racing followers do not attend the festival. There are requests to the Irish Kennel Club to cancel any working farm dog classes in their forthcoming St. Patrick's Day Dog Show.
The foregoing represents a comprehensive range of measures to address the real threat of introducing foot and mouth disease here in view of the developing situation in Great Britain. I appreciate that many of the measures will cause inconvenience and regret that they must be taken as a major part of the effort in which we are all engaged. Given what is at stake, I am fully confident the co-operation of all will continue to be forthcoming, giving immediate effect to these or whatever other measures may be required. We will not succeed without the co-operation and commitment of everyone.
Will the Minister of State agree that the statement he has just made and the account he has just given of the measures being taken, beginning last Wednesday, constitutes a policy of a graduated response? Will he agree that is appallingly inadequate given the gravity of what faces us? Will he tell me why, if his Department staff, in his own words, were put on alert on Wednesday and various advices were given on Thursday, it was possible for parliamentarians from the UK to arrive here on Saturday and to come through Cork Airport without anything being said to them about the need for disinfection? Will he tell me why it was possible, for example, for an Irish person to go hill walking in Northumbria last week, fly from Leeds to Dublin on Sunday and come through Dublin Airport on his way home from Northumbria, where there have been several outbreaks, without being advised of a need to talk to anyone from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development at the Dublin Airport? Will the Minister of State tell me if every truck that arrives in the country from the UK is disinfected, if the drivers are told not to bring in food products and if the officials inspecting the trucks are satisfied they know what is in the trucks and where they have been? Is it the case that cars arriving here by ferry not only have their wheels disinfected, for all the good that is, but that any passengers in the cars are invited to have their footwear and clothing disinfected? Will he agree that if he cannot say, as he surely cannot, that all these things have been done, the response so far has been appallingly negligent, appallingly casual and utterly out of keeping with what is required in the current circumstances?
Deputy Dukes will recall that, long before the outbreak of this disease, passengers travelling home on aircraft were advised by the stewards or stewardesses to report to the officials of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development at the airport if they visited farms or were in contact with any farm ani mals in the UK. That always was and continues to be the case.
Does the Minister of State know where the Department's office is at Dublin Airport?
Deputy Dukes must allow the Minister of State to speak without interruption.
Deputy Dukes will know that most people are aware of this fact.
That was the situation as of last Friday.
I received complaints yesterday about Cork and Dublin airports and we are now ensuring that the signs will be much more obvious. Long before this happened passengers have been requested to see somebody if they are involved in farming and livestock.
Are the signs in any language other than English?
The voice over the airwaves is in English and Irish. All these aspects are long in place. It would have been responsible for the person from Cumbria to voluntarily advise an official that he had been walking on hinterland. I understand that the parliamentarian who did not report to an official at Cork Airport yesterday is from Northumbria. Given that the disease originated there perhaps he should not have travelled.
Mr. Hayes:
He dry cleaned his suits before he travelled.
That is being facetious.
Mr. Hayes:
It is what he told me.
It is serious that the disease has travelled from Northumbria to the south-west of England.
Why has the Department been so slow to act?
Deputies should not interrupt unless the Chair gives them the floor. At present the Minister of State has the floor.
All checkpoints were set up immediately. We acted before the EU. I was at the Border over the weekend and saw the checkpoints in operation. Members of the Garda Síochána and the Army were in attendance with a Departmental official to ensure they were in place.
The importance of the agricultural industry to the economy cannot be over emphasised. It is worth well over £5 billion per annum and growing. This is, therefore, a very serious matter. It is no use engaging in half hearted responses. Farmers have relayed to me their deep concerns that the Minister has adopted a complacent attitude. The measures invoked are hit and miss.
A question, please.
We want to play our role in doing all we can to support the Government. Does the Minister of State agree that to ensure a co-ordinated response to this extremely serious issue, the Government must establish a task force under the chairmanship of the Taoiseach? The Ministers for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Foreign Affairs, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Public Enterprise and Tourism, Sport and Recreation should be involved. The British Prime Minister is chairing a similar task force in England.
Will the Minister of State take emergency powers to ensure that the disinfectant regime at the ports is compulsory? At present it is of a voluntary nature. This is critical. It is no use disinfecting the outside of a car when the driver and passengers are unaffected.
I understand the Minister has announced a ban on horse and greyhound race meetings with effect from tonight. He has also encouraged people not to travel to Cheltenham and has called on the IRFU to cancel the forthcoming rugby match. Will the Taoiseach show good example to all citizens this weekend by cancelling his planned trip to Wales? Example is very important. We must send the right signals to the public. It is no use invoking a sense of national spirit if the Government is not prepared to lead. To date it has not led with a set of co-ordinated measures to respond to this national emergency.
The Taoiseach is well aware of the seriousness of the matter. Since the weekend he has been in contact with all the relevant Departments, including my Department. We thought the situation had improved on Saturday but it escalated on Sunday and deteriorated yesterday and again this morning. All the Departments are aware of the action they need to take to help prevent the disease from taking hold.
I have never seen such concern among the non-farming public. Last night on television jockeys complained about their loss of wages if the Cheltenham races were cancelled. The reaction of non-farming people was very critical because they were aware of the serious implications if the disease takes hold and spreads. The ongoing co-operation of the public will help to ensure that does not happen.
Vehicles entering ports are being sprayed. Drivers and passengers should have their footwear sprayed, including footwear in luggage.
It should be a requirement.
I agree.
Drivers and passengers may be wearing different footwear from that worn on the farm. Luggage must be examined.
It is disorderly to intervene when the Chair has not called on the Deputy. The Chair will call on the Deputy again if time permits but it is not permissible for a Deputy who is not given the floor by the Chair to intravene.
Any person entering a port who has been near or in contact with livestock or farming has a moral duty to this country to make a necessary declaration and have their clothing and luggage disinfected. It is also up to all Members of this House to encourage them to do so. The greatest danger of the diseases spreading is through people.
It is possible that 20,000 to 30,000 people from Ireland will travel to Cheltenham and 20,000 to 30,000 will attend the rugby match at the weekend. Given the likelihood that some of these will play in and attend matches in the valleys and glens, there could be serious implications. I am delighted with the response we have been getting from the IRFU. It is a pity that some of the travel agents do not make refunds as a gesture of their goodwill.
Will the Taoiseach set an example?
I again ask Deputies not to intervene unless the Chair permits them.
I am not aware of the Taoiseach's travel plans.
Those of us who spoke on this very serious issue in the House last week accepted the Minister's word and offered our whole-hearted support. The Minister announced the closure of marts in the Border area, yet nobody advised the district veterinary officers or the mart owners. Are we to be totally dependent on what we read, see or hear in the media or is there a commitment to ensure that this very serious disease does not come into the country?
The Minister of State has been told about what happened at Cork Airport. Similar stories have emerged from Dublin Airport. The Minister of State inspected some of the Border checkpoints, but he must admit that the measures taken are not adequate. I agree we depend on the goodwill of the public but we must be aware that rogues will not want their business to be found out. Given this, is there anycommitment to address this issue properly and methodically? Is the Department using the telephones, faxes and Internet to communicate with those whose co-operation we need?
Will we ensure that Northern Ireland is excluded from restrictions applying to the rest of the UK and that the island will be treated as one unit? Apart from photocalls what steps have been taken since last week? What other steps have been taken since we last met, other than photocalls with the Minister from Northern Ireland, to make sure Northern Ireland is taken out of the UK's structures so that this island can be isolated? How many trucks and cars come through Anglesey every day? Are we sitting on a time bomb? Will we do something about this? From the information I have seen and from what I have learned from others, this Government and the Minister need to take this much more seriously.
I appreciated the Deputy's support last Wednesday but I think he will acknowledge I pointed out then that the Border has always been a difficult area to control. We have reduced the number of official points along the Border to 30. The Deputy will be aware of the long history in that area in regard to unofficial roads. That is why the Army and the Garda Síochána were called in to ensure trucks were channelled through official points only. Many trucks were turned back during the week. We are receiving strong co-operation from the Northern authorities in relation to the traceability of animals which may have come in here from 1 February onwards.
We asked for a close down of the marts on Saturday. That was not fully complied with in some areas, so the ban had to be brought in legally on Monday to make sure it was done.
The marts were not even contacted.
I appreciate that.
No contact was made.
I find it very hard to understand that the DVO, or a relevant person in the DVO, was not informed but I will check out the matter. If it was not informed, then it should have been informed.
The Minister was the one issuing the order. He should have made sure they were received.
It is about relaying orders along. If there is an allegation against the staff of the Department in Monaghan that they were not—
I certainly did not say that.
The Deputy said the staff in Monaghan did not receive—
Surely whoever called in the media for the press conference with the Minister was entitled to at least advise the DVOs in the five Border areas, Donegal, Sligo-Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth—
Deputy Crawford should resume his seat. He has made his point.
(Interruptions.)
The Minister is in possession.
We will check the allegation that they did not get any information and that they did not pass it on.
I assure the Minister they did not.
We will check it out. If that is so, we will ensure it does not happen again because there is a serious lack of communication there. I would be very surprised if all the DVOs were not informed.
Mr. Hayes:
What assurances can the Minister give the House that live animal imports into this country from 1 February to last Thursday are clear of this terrible disease? In his reply, the Minister said that arrangements were being put in place to slaughter sheep. From where did these sheep come? What areas did they travel through? Where will they be slaughtered? What assurances can the Minister give the House in respect of the three weeks prior to last Thursday that no imports of live cattle, sheep or horses have this disease?
One has to wait for the incubation period—
We are aware that a number of sheep came into different parts of the country.
What about the incubation period for teachers?
It shows how seriously the Deputy is taking the matter.
We are tracing, and have traced, where the sheep went in this country. They came from England.
Mr. Hayes:
Where in England?
We are not sure. They were bought in marts and sales there. We have to find out where they came from before that. As the Deputy will know, they are bogged down with their own traceability issues at the moment.
Shoot first and ask questions afterwards.
All the animals that have been brought and are still alive will be slaughtered because I understand the incubation period in sheep is about 20 days. So far we have no evidence that any of them have the disease. They have all been traced and are being slaughtered.
Last Wednesday when I asked the Minister about precautions he was taking at our ports and airports, he told me he was going to alert the airports and ports. Will the Minister outline exactly what that alert amounted to because by Saturday, Cork Airport had not got the message? Will he outline what additional staff have been placed at ports and airports to deal with this issue because I am sure they will have had to raise their level of activity since last Wednesday? Will the Minister indicate the numbers of additional staff, whether gardaí, Army personnel or veterinary officers?
Have the airlines been briefed on the situation? When the notification to which the Minister referred that comes over the airwaves on airplanes people are asleep, they do not pay attention to it or they are busy getting their bags ready to get off the airplane. Are leaflets, or is information, being distributed to passengers on ferries and airplanes? Are we depending on airline staff or ferry staff to inform passengers?
The geographical spread in the UK suggests to me that it is pandemic at this stage. What emergency procedures are in place if a case of foot and mouth is found in this country? Is an official in the Minister's Department in charge of co-ordinating the response?
An assistant secretary in the Department is in charge of co-ordinating actions in the Department. In regard to airports, the immediate reaction was to place disinfectant in them. I assume anybody coming from England in the past week will have been aware of the serious epidemic there. It has been on Sky News, BBC news, UTV and Channel 4 and on all our news programmes as well. We have distributed leaflets in various parts of the airport asking people to check. All these precautions have been put in place. I do not think there is anybody in Britain or Ireland who is not aware of the seriousness of the situation. The Aer Lingus notice is very strong on this occasion and it should register with people that they were near a farm or otherwise and that they should report it immediately. Those are some of the measures we can take to stop this disease coming here. Additional measures are being taken tonight. All horses and dogs will be banned from coming into this country from midnight, even though they are not carriers.
Why midnight? Why not now?
One has to give time for people—
To bring in dogs.
I ask the Minister not to reply to Deputies who have not been given the floor.
The awareness among the public has been extraordinarily helpful and people are coming forward voluntarily to ask what they can do in this situation.
(Dublin West): Is the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Britain following the BSE disaster an occasion not only for the immediate emergency measures which are critical and which the Government needs to step up very sharply, but for a major analysis of the modern methods of agricultural practice, including what food animals are fed and the patterns and extent of animal movement world-wide. Is the Minister aware that the British Government's chief veterinary officer stated that the most likely cause of the outbreak was infected swill which was fed to pigs, swill which may have contained infected meat imported into Britain? Does the Minister agree this is a further twist on the BSE crisis which was caused by feeding meat to vegetarian creatures? Does he agree that the unprecedented movement of live animals and meat imports on a world-wide basis makes transmission of serious infections inevitable? Does he agree there is now a need, apart from immediate measures in this area, for a rigorous reappraisal of agricultural practices in regard to whether the food fed to animals is appropriate and natural to their diet? Does he agree there is a need to develop local food sources for animals and to minimise live animal trade in order to prevent highly infectious diseases? Does the Minister agree that it is ludicrous that ships transporting sheep from Ireland to Britain and vice versa pass each other in the middle of the Irish Sea? There is a need for a rationalisation of trade to minimise the spread of infectious diseases.
No other industry in Ireland is as strictly regulated as the agriculture industry. It is unfair of the Deputy to compare the BSE crisis with the current foot and mouth disease crisis—
(Dublin West): Why?
Because it is a type O disease which has come in from Borneo, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Georgia etc. It is the only type of disease which exists in those areas although it is a total mystery how it got into the UK. The disease is airborne and can also be carried by people which has resulted in its transmission up to 300 miles in the UK, a fact which is extremely worrying for us. I have confidence in the type of feed which Irish farmers are giving their animals and in Irish farm produce.
Does the Minister agree that the voluntary ban to which he referred is now totally inadequate and does not represent a sufficiently strong response? Will he ensure that a mandatory ban is imposed? Does he accept that some people are not aware of the seriousness of this disease? People are coming through our airports and are not being stopped or cautioned to ensure they are disinfected. That was certainly the case last Saturday. I accept that the number of people at issue may be small. Will the Minister respond to the calls made by the IFA, as late as today, for tougher restrictions and to similar calls from Mr. Denis Brosnan and food industry spokespersons? Will he ensure that rugby fans do not travel to the weekend game or will he continue to invoke a voluntary ban in regard to people travelling from Ireland to Britain to attend sporting events?
There is a need to re-evaluate the trend towards centralisation policies in agriculture which have resulted in abattoirs becoming bigger, animals travelling further for slaughter and mileage increasing in general in regard to the transport of products and animals. Does the Minister agree there is a need to re-examine that trend, notwithstanding the regulations to which he referred, and does he agree there is a further need to re-evaluate the trend towards the globalisation of agriculture which has resulted in a relaxation of national border controls and points of entry? Does he agree that this disease is a warning sign that we must halt this trend and re-evaluate what will be good for Irish agriculture and society?
In regard to the voluntary ban or cancellation of sporting events, the Deputy will be aware that a Supreme Court decision on the free movement of people could create some difficulty in this area. Over the past two days, the IRFU has been extremely conscious of what could happen and I commend it on its concern in this area and on holding discussions with my Department. I believe the IRFU will cancel this weekend's match and ask its supporters, who have arranged other matches around the main match, not to travel to Wales. I spoke to a considerable number of people today who contacted the Department asking whether they should travel. Our advice to them is that they should not. However, we cannot stop people from travelling. The IRFU and its supporters are adopting a responsible attitude in regard to the match's possible postponement.
The decision on whether to proceed with Cheltenham is a matter for the English Jockey Club. I do not believe the races will proceed because they would not be the same without Irish horses and supporters. Moreover, the exclusion zone is getting nearer to Cheltenham.
The Minister's reply is indicative of a total lack of any coherent or comprehensive plan on the part of the Government. The Minister referred to a prohibition on the importation of certain categories of animals from the UK. Why did he not refer to agricultural machinery given that we have a vibrant trade in tractors, harvesters and other equipment—
He did.
What steps is the Minister taking to address the importation of this machinery?
The Minister also referred to disinfection procedures. When were the automatic spray gullies removed at Dún Laoghaire and Rosslare? Will the Minister confirm that the disinfectant spray to which he refers is manually operated? Why did the Department allow the removal of the automatic gullies? What steps will the Minister take to reinstate this disinfectant system which has been in place for many decades whereby vehicles coming into Ireland from the UK were automatically disinfected by having to travel over a gully in order to gain access to the port? When did these gullies cease to operate and will they be restored at all ports?
Yesterday the Minister announced a complete ban on all second hand machinery from the UK.
Disinfectant is being sprayed manually by a number of people in the ports—
Why?
I do not know; I am not a plumber in the sea ports.
The Minister should be aware of why this is happening.
I will make inquiries about the gullies but we are satisfied that the manual spraying of vehicles is effective.
Some fellow with a knapsack and a spray gun.
There are plentiful supplies of disinfectant and the spraying is being carried out by more than two people at a time. Vehicles and people are also required to pass over mats and beds of straw.
Dr. Upton:
Does the Minister agree, in light of the near epidemic in the UK, that a very real threat is posed to Ireland and that the disinfection programme, irrespective of its effectiveness, is largely cosmetic? Does he agree that the only effective way to reduce the risk posed to Ireland is to stop all non-essential movement of animals and people between this country and the UK?
We have already banned the importation of cattle, pigs, goats, sheep and deer and, as of tonight, horses and dogs will also be banned. I accept that spraying is not a total solution to this issue but it is heightening the awareness of people who may have been in contact with animals or farmland. They are reporting to be sprayed and are assisting the Department by registering the fact that they have been in such places.
I asked last week, and did not get a reply, if the type of virus which caused the foot and mouth disease in the UK had originated in Asia. The Minister seems to have confirmed today that the O strain is of Asiatic origin and is prevalent in a series of countries he listed. Does the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development plan to ban the import of meats from certain Asiatic countries where strain O is still prevalent?
In our discussions with all Departments we decided that meat or meat products will not be imported from England or anywhere else. Only a small amount comes from outside those areas listed but we are being particularly vigilant and have asked anyone supplying such meats to notify the Department about where the meat has come from.
Is the Minister of State saying he will ban meat imports from certain Asiatic countries where strain O is still prevalent, or is he saying that he is thinking about it?
There is not much meat imported from these countries. At one stage in the UK there was a question that swine fever was brought from Asia. However, we do not have significant imports of meats from those areas.
Is meat not imported for the fast food trade from certain Asiatic countries? Is it not the practice that individuals travelling, quite frequently bring meat from Asiatic countries in their luggage? What precautions is the Government taking against that?
Every traveller into the country has to declare meat or animal products in general, at customs. We hope people will co-operate. Customs and Excise operate spot checks also.
The Minister suggested in his reply that the source of the original infection was swill fed to pigs. The Minister seemed to suggest that in that swill was meat imported from Asiatic countries where the strain of foot and mouth disease is prevalent. Can we ban any dangerous product there may be from the country of origin of the virus?
I did not mention the swill. It was Deputy Penrose or some other Deputy.
(Dublin West): I mentioned swill.
(Interruptions.)
I did not mention swill. I said it was the O strain which originates from the countries I mentioned. Obviously, if we import large amounts of food or any amount of food from that area, we will look at that situation immediately.
It is clear from the Minister's response that what we have is an ad hoc approach and not a co-ordinated response. Would he agree that the problem at Dublin Airport illustrates the importance of establishing an interdepartmental task force under the Taoiseach's chairmanship to co-ordinate a strategic response to the crisis? Would he agree that 11 million cattle in the UK with 57 million people and 7.8 million cattle here with 3.5 million people demonstrates the relative importance of the industry to us? Would he agree that the task force I suggest is now required to deal with this immediately? Would he also agree that it is important that Members of this House lead the way in demonstrating how important it is not to make any unnecessary visits to Britain. Will the Taoiseach lead the way this weekend by cancelling any proposed visit to Wales? Will he give that undertaking to this House? Would he also agree that the only effective way to reduce risk, as Deputy Upton rightly says, is to stop people travelling even if we have to go to the Supreme Court? Where the national economy is at stake, does the Minister agree that these steps, however drastic or inconvenient must be taken? There is no use in crying when the milk is spilt, and spilt it will be if we do not take the proper co-ordinated measures necessary under a task force chaired by the Taoiseach.
Deputies:
Hear, hear.
The Taoiseach was in constant contact over the weekend with my Department and other relevant Departments on this matter, and right up to Question Time today. Effectively, the whole Cabinet is involved. The Deputy does not need to emphasise to us how important the industry is. It is of three times greater importance to us than it is to any other EU country. The Deputy is correct in saying that people should not travel. Unfortunately, and the Deputy knows why, we cannot stop people from travelling. However, we are delighted with the response from horse owners and trainers who say they will not go to Cheltenham. We are also delighted with the response of commentators in the racing world who say they will not go, and with the response this morning of the chairman of the new Irish Horseracing Authority who says they should not go. I am particularly pleased at the fantastic generous response of the IRFU who said they do not wish to go to Wales and do not want supporters to either. That is the sort of response we would like from individuals, that they will not travel to a farm or such place in Britain.
Will the Minister say if special further measures are being contemplated given that an outbreak of foot and mouth disease has been confirmed only a few miles from the port of Hollyhead, one of the most important ports for passenger and goods movement between the UK and Ireland? Will the Minister say if there are any discussions between the Administration here and the Administration in Northern Ireland about treating this issue on an all island basis? I understand that First Minister Mr. Trimble said his Administration does not have the jurisdiction to take the kind of action in relation to ports that we need to take here. Is the Government undertaking any consultations with Mr. Trimble, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the London Government to see if we can treat this on an all island basis? We all recognise the difficulties to which the Minister has referred, in controlling movement across the Border. Does the Minister agree that Deputy Sargent's prescription of returning to local production for local needs, the Douthwaite doctrine, would beggar this country?
I assure the Deputy that the co-operation of the Northern officials and authorities has been tremendous, particularly when we wanted to trace trucks that had gone through Northern Ireland and come to the Republic, notably in the instance of the first truck. The UFU in Northern Ireland has been extremely anxious to emphasise that the island is disease free in this respect and in regard to brown rot on which they have been in contact with us on many occasions to stop the importation of seed potatoes from Scotland. It is unusual that the Northern Ireland authorities would seek such a ban.
I do not wish to be disorderly but is the Minister doing anything to try to ensure that the measures we apply here are applied at the ports in Northern Ireland, so that we can combat this thing on an all island basis?
We have been assured that the most stringent measures are being taken at the ports in Northern Ireland to check where animals are coming from and where they are going. Whether or not they have authority to stop movement is another matter.
Will the Minister find out?
We will find out. We are talking on an hourly basis.
How can that be so when the Minister does not know what is happening?
I do not think this is the time—
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Dukes does not have the floor. He is out of order and being disorderly. The Minister has possession.
Everyone on the island wants to co-operate to ensure—
Yes, but—
I ask Deputy Dukes to desist. There is a long list of his colleagues wishing to speak.
We are in constant contact with the Northern Ireland and British authorities. The information they have given us to date on many issues has been proper and timely.
This is a question and answer session, so Deputies should confine themselves to brief questions. To get through the long list of Deputies seeking to ask a question, I will take them three at a time.
It is appropriate that we should compliment the Garda and the Defence Forces on the manner in which they swiftly sealed the Border. People told me they were given limited advice and instruction from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. We should extend good wishes to two gardaí who were seriously injured while trying to prevent illegal crossings. Will the Minister accept that a number of days, perhaps three, passed before proper disinfectant bays were put in place? This seriously impeded the duties the Garda and the Army were expected to carry out. Without being insulting, will the Minister of State accept, or is he even aware, that foot and mouth disease is spreading across Britain like wild fire ? Is it not time, therefore, that the Minister of State moved from requesting to invoke the powers invested in him to banning all international sporting events until this epidemic passes?
If, in the awful event of an outbreak in this country, would the Minister contemplate restrictions on the movement of animals and people? Would he contemplate applying such restrictions now, as after the event it will be too late?
Will the Minister clarify when the disinfectant regime will be in place at airports? On a chat show this morning, I heard of a person who came back from Newcastle upon Tyne late last night, having been only four miles from an outbreak. He stated there had been no disinfectant regime at Dublin Airport of which he could avail. A great deal of attention is focused on ferry ports and the volume of traffic back and forth. Does the Minister recognise that we have extensive business with the UK at commercial ports which operate a roll-on, roll-off system? What disinfectant regime, if any, has been put in place at such ports? My understanding is that nothing is happening there at present. Will the Minister indicate if there are sufficient quantities of disinfectant available? Concerns have been expressed that there is not enough of this basic component.
I thank Deputy Boylan for his acknowledgement of the Garda and the Army, and we send our good wishes to the members of the Garda who were injured in the course of their duty. We could ask, or insist, that international sporting events here be cancelled, but we cannot do that in another jurisdiction outside our control. I believe that the public, in other countries as well as here, will support such cancellations, and that the Welsh authorities will be as responsible as us.
Deputy Durkan asked about control measures. All animal movements have been stopped. Last week, the Department immediately cancelled all meetings relating to the REP and farm retirement schemes. The IFA and the ICMSA cancelled their meetings. Many other meetings that were to take place have been cancelled. We have asked people not to gather in great numbers, and that Irish race meetings, including point-to-points, be called off. That includes next Sunday's meetings, and any point-to-points around the country. We want to show how seriously this is being taken by everyone, and we believe the desired response will be forthcoming.
What about the airport?
There are Department staff at every port of entry. There is no shortage of disinfectant spray. As Deputy Upton rightly said, spray is largely a token gesture towards this, because people must report where they were near and what they were doing.
I was talking about farmers who want to get disinfectant. Are there sufficient quantities of it?
There are. There is no problem in that regard.
Concern was expressed on farming programmes last night.
There is plenty of it.
As regards ports, will the Minister—
Yes.
This Government has dealt with this problem with a series of ad hoc measures in instalments. I am concerned about the future, and I wonder what further measures, if any, this Government contemplates if this emergency continues. Will the Minister explain what further measures are under consideration, and whether there are adequate legislative and other powers to put in place such measures?
The Government's management of this disease has been based on the hope that Britain will eradicate it. It has believed the problem will finish in the United Kingdom. We have lost a full week of important work. Can we expect every local newspaper to have a front page advertisement this week, dealing with the prob lems that are besetting everybody, including the rural community? Can we take it that this has happened all over Ireland this week?
I agree with the need to keep down the numbers of people travelling. Many Irish farmers, 140,000 of whom are in the eye of the storm, do not know the directions from the Department. The Ministers from the Department have not said what type of disinfectant will kill off this disease, or at least help to prevent it. Such technical advice has not been provided because the Department has been hoping the problems will remain in England. The Government has been caught offside on this issue, and rural Ireland is not confident it has a handle on it.
What preparations have been put in place in the awful event of an outbreak here? Are teams in place to move quickly to destroy animals? How will the animals be destroyed? What kind of disinfectant is used and how effective is it?
Regardless of whatever further measures may be necessary, this week the Government has banned all livestock marts and asked people not to allow other people and deliveries onto their farms.
What about the future? What further measures are proposed?
If required, farms will be isolated so that people will not come into contact with the disease.
Is that the only measure the Minister of State has in mind?
There are other measures that will have to be contemplated as the situation evolves.
Like what?
That is a matter for further discussion.
Please allow the Minister to conclude.
What about the newspapers?
(Interruptions.)
There were advertisements in newspapers last weekend. Every radio station has discussed the issue. Department officials are willing and available to talk.
Has the Department bought advertising space?
Yes. It was in last weekend's papers.
Deputies should not intervene. I call the Minister of State for his concluding remarks.
My question has not been answered.
It was not done on a systematic basis.
It was carried in all last weekend's papers.
Was it carried in all local papers?
We cannot have this kind of crossfire in the House. Deputy Connaughton is being disorderly.
In fairness, he asked if it was carried in all local papers. We were only notified on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
It was not, in other words.
Local newspapers are printed on Wednesday, so how could the advertisement have been included?
Deputy Connaughton is not entitled to speak.
It was carried in all the national papers.
The Minister to conclude, please.
The Department was caught offside and the Minister of State knows it.
What happens if there is an outbreak?
That concludes Private Notice Questions.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.