Mr. Barry Delany:

Inspecting large consignments is difficult and as I stated earlier, we try to utilise what is called the international standard for phytosanitary measures. ISPM No. 31 is to do with the inspection of large consignments and how importing countries can set an inspection level that gives a high confidence of finding a low level infestation that might be in a consignment. That is the approach we are taking to our consignments that are coming through Wicklow in particular and through Rushbrooke now and in 2024. We are doing that and other actions too. Again we extend an invitation to see that at first hand. It would be important for the committee if the members did have the opportunity to do that. From that point of view can one do more? One can always do more but we are putting the resources to it. We have a very strong and robust standard operating procedure. There is training for the officers around finding any symptoms of the pest or the pest itself.