Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I reiterate that vigilance is uppermost in our minds. The Department and its counterpart in the North work in co-ordination with each other as does the Department and the Department of Health and Children and other agencies. I reassure the Deputy that the evolving scientific evidence as provided by the EU will be reflected in our contingency plans. Vigilance is being maintained in the airports and ports. I assure the House that live poultry imports from the countries referred to in my reply are banned. Cooked poultry products are not banned. The Department is maintaining vigilance in this matter and will not be complacent. I applaud the co-operation between North and South. Ireland will work with its EU partners in supporting those countries that do not have the capability to deal with the outbreaks.

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