Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach did not answer the question on whether an inter-agency taskforce had been established. This is the correct approach to adopt given the serious nature of the issue and given that the outbreak impacts on public health fundamentally and on economics, especially in terms of horticulture, agriculture and the general food industry. This is a serious issue in terms of public health. One need only consider the extraordinary impact it has had on the German health system, including the acute system and the public health threat that it presents. I do not get a sense from the Taoiseach's response that a national inter-agency taskforce has been established and I would find it incredible if it has not. I call on the Taoiseach to confirm whether it has and whether the Minister for Health has been involved with European health Ministers in co-ordinated meetings and emergency meetings. Such meetings are merited given the enormity and the potential for further difficulties and challenges that may arise from this outbreak and given what is taking place across the water in Great Britain and elsewhere.

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