Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator Byrne's amendment to the Order of Business. I will talk about the Irish Cancer Society. I pay tribute to all of those we have lost, those battling cancer and those who will, in the future, get a cancer diagnosis. There has been positive news on this island with the establishment of the All-Ireland Cancer Consortium. Last week saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Northern Irish Government, the Irish Government and the US. This consortium is a research organisation which will drive cancer research forward and, it is to be hoped, save many lives in the future.

This year marks 20 years since the foot and mouth disease crisis. The Cooley Peninsula, north Louth and south Armagh were absolutely devastated by the disease. I come from a farming background and I saw the terror and saw our hills empty of flocks. Generations of breeding, going back hundreds of years, were lost and can never be reclaimed. I pay tribute to the farmers who stuck with it and who worked hard to restock our hills in the Cooley Mountains and south Armagh. There are lessons to be learned in respect of the compensation offered. No allowances were made for consequential payments in the Department's Bill. I will also acknowledge a good news story. The Cooley Sheep Breeders Association is the biggest sheep breeders' association in the country.After 20 years of there being no sheep on the peninsula, we now have the largest sheep breeders' association. Every year, on the first Saturday in September, one of the largest sheep sales in the country is held. Perhaps next year, Senators will be able to visit the peninsula and see the finest sheep in the country.