Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

In my earlier reply, I outlined the fact that various units of the organisation have been carrying out tests here and have also been monitoring exactly what is happening elsewhere internationally. They have acted in unison in negotiations with their European counterparts who are meeting today to decide what further measures may have to be taken regarding the importation of birds, including the possibility of a ban. That decision is likely to emanate from the meeting this afternoon, on foot of which we will continue to monitor the situation. To date, our monitoring indicates clearly that avian flu does not exist here.

There were some reports in Ireland but in all those cases no evidence has emerged. For instance, over the past ten days, six mute swans and cygnets were found dead in Kilcoole.

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