Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

I think the Chair is safe. Avian flu can have catastrophic consequences, especially when combined with human flu. We must be careful in our approach to this problem. I welcome some of the announcements made by the Minister of State in that regard.

The Minister of State must address the public fear surrounding the availability of the antibiotic needed to treat an epidemic, or indeed, a pandemic. It was reported in newspapers recently that 600,000 units of Tamilflu will be available to treat the public by the end of this year. A further 400,000 units will be available in the new year. Clearly we are not stockpiling sufficient antibiotics to deal with an epidemic if, or when, it hits our shores. The slow spread of the avian flu has been reported. It started in south-east Asia and now we believe that it is in Ireland. Perhaps the Minister of State can confirm that. It has been reported that birds on one of the Greek or Cypriot islands have proven to be affected by the harmful virus.

In view of the fact that over 6,000 people work in our poultry industry, avian flu could have devastating consequences if Irish poultry has to be slaughtered. I hope that this does not happen but whatever needs to be done should be contemplated immediately. Some precautionary measures include housing poultry stocks indoors or placing netting around them so that wild birds cannot get in among them.

I ask the Minister of State to address the allegations that there has been major bureaucratic bungling, particularly by the British and European authorities, with regard to taking samples for analysis. Such analysis is designed to identify the deadly strain of the virus and, if identified, allow us to take all necessary precautions. The Irish people deserve to know what is going on. If this type of bungling is taking place, it should be eliminated immediately and people should be held responsible for their actions.

While we must all exercise a degree of responsibility and not panic, we must take action. The Minister of State should reassure the public that the necessary stockpiles of drugs are being ordered to deal with the pandemic. Professor Luke Clancy, consultant respiratory physician in St. James's Hospital, said he hopes anti-viral drugs will not be needed. He warned that if they were, there would not be sufficient numbers of them to halt the spread of the flu. The Minister of State will have the public on his side as he fights this problem, and we wish him well.

On imports from Brazil, will the Minister of State confirm whether he believes the independence of the food and veterinary office has been damaged because it is alleged that the Brazilian authorities delayed until now the inspection and report on the traceability of Brazilian imports which should have taken place in October 2003? In the meantime, it has allowed a huge volume of beef to come into this country unchecked. I urge the Minister of State to take action on both fronts on which he will have the support of all parties present here and the public in general.