Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Senator that I understand the gravity of the picture she has painted. I, and everyone in the farming community, will not quickly forget the events during the foot and mouth crisis. It is estimated that the culling within the Cooley Peninsula impacted 48,744 sheep, 166 goats, 1,123 cattle, 2,908 pigs and 280 deer. Outside the Cooley Peninsula, it is estimated that 3,826 sheep and 207 cattle were also culled. Those numbers paint a very clear picture of how the Cooley Peninsula and Louth farmers in particular were really significantly impacted.

All sectors of society were involved in containing the spread of the disease, including the State veterinary services, operating with the assistance of the personnel and equipment resources of many Departments, private industry and private veterinary practitioners, with the co-operation of the farming community and the general public. The farmers of Louth played a particularly important role, and that is something which is recognised.

I outlined my Department's position in my initial response, but I take on board the points which the Senator has raised today, and I will bring them to back to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, and highlight them with him.