Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the point on our island status, I have collaborated very closely with my counterpart Andrew Muir in Stormont, who has responsibility on his side of the Border, be it in respect of avian flu, the potential risk of FMD or, as the Deputy mentioned in her original question, bluetongue. Bluetongue is prevalent in England and is it a very major concern for us as we head into the time of year when its risk of spread by midges increases. The island of Ireland is one epidemiological unit. Diseases and animals do not know where an invisible border is and therefore we work very closely with our counterparts. To take the example of avian flu, our response was very much co-ordinated. We both issued a housing order at the same time, mindful that some of the outbreaks were very close to the Border. What happens in one housing unit could happen in another.

I will address the other points in my response to the Deputy’s supplementary question.

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