Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First, on the Covid situation in meat plants, there continues to be intensive and ongoing engagement between my own Department and the meat factories on this issue. The plants also continue to work closely with the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, in respect of the protocols that are in place. As with wider society in recent weeks, there have been particular challenges for all in respect of infection rates and the increased challenge of trying to ensure that the significant infection rates do not impact upon employees. The serial testing is continuing. It has been important in respect of trying to address risk and in identifying where there might be positive cases. It will continue in the time ahead. I recently met representatives of the industry to discuss the issue and emphasised the importance of continuing to take all precautions possible. I acknowledge that the industry has been making tremendous efforts in that regard. The last number of weeks have been really challenging for all businesses that have had to continue to operate, including meat factories, given the high infection rates that have been prevalent.

We also know from last year about the particular challenges regarding meat factories, such as the high number of people who work in them and the importance of the precautions in place, as well as the importance of continuing serial testing to reduce the risk, assist with infection control and keep staff safe.

In regard to mink farms, the Chief Medical Officer indicated his concern and his request that mink be culled, given the emergence of the Danish strain of Covid before Christmas. As Minister, I established that it would require new primary legislation for that to be carried out. I met mink farmers at that stage to relay the request I had received from the Chief Medical Officer and our intention to pursue it. In the interim, there was ongoing testing of both mink and staff at the farms to protect against the risk of the strain spreading. More recently, the Chief Medical Officer indicated that he is no longer concerned by the risk mink pose and that he is no longer seeking the culling of mink from the point of view of the risk of Covid. Nonetheless, there is a clear commitment in the programme for Government to phasing out mink farming in Ireland, so I am proceeding on the basis that we are seeking to close mink farming in the country. There is ongoing engagement between my Department and mink farmers and I will soon come forward with primary legislation that will facilitate proceeding with a cull and bringing an end to mink farming in the country.

On milk processing and the vaccination programme, I recently met representatives of Dairy Industry Ireland and the CEOs of the dairy companies and co-operatives to discuss a number of issues. I am aware of the importance of peak supply and of the workers who work in the industry. As members will be aware, an expert committee has been put in place. It is managing and overseeing the roll-out of the vaccination process to ensure that those who are at highest risk are vaccinated first, and all the pertinent information on essential workers has been fed in to it. It has put in place a strategy and process for rolling out the vaccines as quickly as we receive them in a way that addresses those who are most at risk from a health point of view and prioritises healthcare staff. Essential workers in the food industry will also form part of the prioritisation categories in the place that is regarded as most appropriate in the roll-out, from the committee’s point of view. It is a matter for it to decide on and it has the relevant information it needs on the various professions and the necessity of the work that various workers carry out. First and foremost, the priority is protecting people's health and especially that of healthcare professionals.