Peter Callanan (Fianna Fail)

I outlined what can be done to streamline and develop the beef industry. We ought to do that, otherwise we will not have a marketplace or a market share. We can talk as much as we like but we have approximately ten years to streamline the industry. I appeal for that to be done.

An all-Ireland approach to control of diseases on the island is needed. The Administrations, North and South, were proactive in working together to control the outbreak of foot and mouth disease a few years ago. A similar challenge, about which we do not know much, could be on the way. We must be conscious of how FMD made it onto the island in recent years. I urge the Minister of State to strengthen this all-Ireland approach. We are an island off the coast of another island and we take action together that cannot be taken separately.

The same approach should apply to the outbreak of avian flu. I am aware of what the Departments of Agriculture and Food and Health and Children and the EU are doing in this regard but I did not have an understanding of the medical implications of the disease. We do not know how bad the outbreak could be but I am glad the Department of Agriculture and Food has put in place an early warning system in co-operation with the national parks and wildlife service, the National Association of Regional Game Councils and Birdwatch Ireland.