Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to be associated with the vote of sympathy for the late Minister of State, Shane McEntee. As Fianna Fáil's spokesman on agriculture, I developed a close working relationship with him. He was more than courteous and at all times acknowledged issues that were brought to his attention. He was one of the gentlemen of politics and I was very saddened to learn of his passing. I sympathise with the Fine Gael Party, Mr. McEntee's colleagues and, most important, his family, including his wife, children and mother. The period prior to Christmas is a very difficult time in which to experience someone passing away, not least a man with the exceptional character of Shane McEntee. May he rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Let me refer briefly to two issues, the first of which concerns food safety and the finding of horse meat in burgers. The issue is escalating. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland was quick to point out initially that there was no safety risk but, as a food technologist, I found that to be contrary to the best intentions of the agency because we do not know where the horse meat has come from, despite the fact that the Minister and Department were very quick to blame other European countries. It now transpires that the horse meat did not come from those countries. We do not know where it came from or how it entered the food chain. This escalating crisis is damaging to Ireland's ¤24 billion agrifood industry. There is a lack of urgency being shown by the Minister and a lack of transparency. Consumer protection rights are being infringed. We need an urgent debate in the House on the matter.

I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to the House to have a specific debate on septic tank registration. The deadline, 1 February, is approaching. The Minister is asking everyone to register but he has not yet published the standards. I have attended four meetings in Donegal on the issue over the weekend. The public are very dissatisfied with the Minister and want clarification on the process. The Minister should extend the deadline. I ask the Leader to arrange a discussion with the Minister on this topic as quickly as possible, this week or early next week, so as to obtain the required clarification and, possibly, postpone the deadline for two or three months to give people an opportunity to pay.