Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, we have had a wide-ranging discussion. In terms of what the meat industry wanted to come in and speak about and what it has been asked about, we have digressed. In terms of the employment, the three main areas that have come up are the issues of the agencies, the permits and the sick pay.

The sick pay issue is an employee welfare issue and I hope it will be possible for MII to come back to us on that matter. I am interested in one other point and that is the future. Regarding the national outbreak control team, there is a protocol to engage in the event of a further outbreak or additional clusters in meat factories. Are the witnesses and their organisation happy that they are on top of that protocol and that if an outbreak were to occur tomorrow that the meat industry could get it nailed down within 24 or 48 hours?