John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

Several potato growers in my area, County Kilkenny, have brought to my attention the possible disaster that could occur if the potato disease, ring rot, were to arrive on our shores. The farm in Wales where the disease broke out has been exporting seed potatoes to Ireland for five years. I ask the Department of Agriculture and Food to investigate farms which have received seed potatoes from that farm. What measures is the Department taking to ensure that the disease does not enter this country because it has the potential to do to the potato industry what foot and mouth disease did to the livestock industry? I urge the Department to do something as soon as possible before it is too late.