Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There has been no tiptoeing whatsoever. Politically, that is what the Deputy and those on the left like to portray. The reality is very different. There has been a recognition at all times of the particular challenges in meat factories. As the Deputy is aware, as with all activity in the food sector, it was designated as essential work and an essential service throughout the pandemic. That brought real challenges to all working in the sector in being able to continue to keep everybody fed throughout that period. There was a strong recognition from the time of my appointment as Minister and, indeed, from the Government right throughout this period of the importance of supporting the sector in every way we can. That is why we have seen the PCR serial testing in meat factories which is not happening anywhere else and which is why, with the tremendous work led by Dr. Donal Sammin in the Department, we have led with the introduction of antigen testing and making that available as an additional tool working under a very strict protocol with the factories. Anything and everything has been done and I commend the work of the staff on ensuring that the food supply chain has kept going during this period.

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