Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)

I find it extraordinary that a disease which can damage international confidence in a nation's agricultural output is not notifiable. I, therefore, encourage the Minister to press hard to ensure it is made notifiable.

What emergency plans will be put in place? Are there discussions taking place with our counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure the virus will be kept off Irish farms? I am sure the Minister agrees that the international perception of the quality of Irish agricultural produce is all-important. The USA is thinking of opening up markets and the Minister is travelling to China to discuss increasing our market share there. Therefore, the international perception of the purity and quality of Irish agricultural produce must be protected. This is one of the risks to it. I suggest other risks are presented by the proposed trials on the genetic modification of potatoes and fracking in agricultural areas in north Leitrim and County Cavan.

Will the Minister press to make sure the virus is made a notifiable disease? Will we have plans in place should it be identified on a farm in either the Six Counties or the Twenty-six Counties?

See this speech in context