Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I will be very brief. Does the Minister accept that every minute that passes while Irish produce is absent from supermarket shelves from Tokyo to San Francisco to Moscow will make it more expensive to restore such produce to overseas markets? For that reason, does the Government accept the State is culpable in the closure of these plants as a result of contamination? Is the Government prepared to pay the price to ensure processing plants reopen as quickly as possible? I remind the House no inspection has taken place at the Carlow plant to date in 2008. Are inspections organised at such plants by appointment? Farmers do not receive notice when their farms are inspected.

I would like to conclude by asking about compliance with EU regulations and possible contact from third countries. Is Ireland in compliance with all EU regulations in areas like food safety? Prior to last Saturday, did any EU member state contact the Irish authorities to express concern about PCB levels? If so, at what level did such contact take place? Did it take place at Food Safety Authority of Ireland level, at Government level, at veterinary level or at any level within the Department?

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