Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Gallagher who was on to me over the past several days on issues concerning processing in County Donegal. I will return to him on the mink farm alternative to rendering. We will continue to ensure there is adequate and immediate dialogue between the processing sector, the retailers, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and departmental and local authority veterinarians.

I remember the day the Backweston laboratory was opened. Deputy Durkan was the first man up to the cameras welcoming the development. He was quite right to do so because it is an excellent facility, one of which we should be proud. It was that facility that identified the particular problem that arose. We should be thankful that we have people working to high standards in top-class facilities. The dioxin facility has not yet been validated but should be by February or March.

I do not have any particular relationship with the banking sector, only an overdraft. Yesterday, we made it clear to the banking sector that we were anxious that it would take account of the present serious difficulties involved in the pork sector, including those experienced by primary producers and processors. That has been conveyed in no uncertain terms to the banks.

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