Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I want to see as much Irish food as possible consumed on our island and elsewhere, but the reassuring message that goes out to our consumers about the quality of our food is very important. I heard comments from eminent scientists and medical people in the international media over the weekend, and every one of those eminent people said the Irish Government made the correct decision, although it was a difficult decision for their industry. There can be no doubt about issues such as that. Public health is paramount and the interests of the consumers take precedence.

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