Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)

My understanding of the FAO report is that this disease will be present for several years in the countries which experienced outbreaks in 2004 and will be impossible to eradicate. It is also the view of the World Health Organisation that it is not a question of whether there will be an outbreak but rather when there will be a pandemic. Human health is primarily at issue, as are the implications for the poultry industry should there be an outbreak here. In this context, does the Minister of State think we have adequate resources in place to deal with inspection and regulation, particularly at border inspection posts?

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