Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

Sorry — the question referred to the domestic context. The Department communicated with the FSAI from the first indication of worry. The chief medical officer at the Department of Health and Children was involved from Saturday morning. The man only took up his job on Thursday, but he was contacted.

The FSAI has been in contact with the European Food Safety Authority. On Saturday we received confirmation of the laboratory tests from York. The right decision was made based on the scientific evidence, as the Deputy would understand better than most. It was the right decision. We had no time to think about segregating products as this might leave doubt in people's minds about the safety and quality of Irish pork products.

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