Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It does not have the supports of the EU, the Commission's food and veterinary office or the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. We have EU and Irish legislation while the New Zealand model is based on what it must do on its own.

The Department of Agriculture and Food is the lead Department in dealing with animal and plant disease outbreaks. It provides a specific co-ordinating role and contingency plans are in place to work with the Department of Health and Children. The Department had a co-ordinating role in combating the foot and mouth disease outbreak. I do not see the need to establish a specific biosecurity unit. That could only be done in a developmental way if issues arise. Contingency plans within the Department of Agriculture and Food are such that they encompass many Departments that would be equally concerned.

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