Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister to the House on a very emotive issue. I wonder whether we ever get matters right in Ireland. Many years ago we had probably the most lax hygiene standards in Europe. From a food viewpoint we did not know what a health worker was. In pubs the standard of cleanliness in toilets, behind the counter and in restaurant areas was very poor. Not that many people died, however.

In any event, we have introduced what is perhaps the most draconian legislation in Europe. There are 37 different offences under food legislation with health officers closing pubs, restaurants, abattoirs, small businesses and butchers. It is quite clear that matters have gone over the top but in Ireland, we do not do things by half. We must go over the top regardless of what is being introduced. If the same standards were introduced in public sector hospitals or nursing homes, I have no doubt we would not be having this debate about MRSA in the House.