Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

The supply of cattle in question is limited and may already have been consumed. If the Government had indicated that this specific quantity of beef should have been recalled pending further tests, a line could have been drawn under the matter.

I referred last week to the 6,500 Irish people who have pensions with Equitable Life. According to the Financial Times, more than 1 million policyholders in the UK who lost money in the Equitable Life debacle are due to learn the UK Government's response next week to a report that described a decade of regulatory failings. I asked the Leader to inquire of the responsible Minister whether any representations had been made to the UK Government to ensure that, if the compensation fund called for by the European Parliament and the UK's parliamentary ombudsman comes into effect, Irish policyholders would benefit equally. This is a relevant question, given the imminent decision by the UK Government.