Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail)

On behalf of Fianna Fáil, I express our sympathy to the family of the late Donal Carey on his passing. I never had the privilege to meet Donal but everything I have heard about him shows he epitomised all that was very good in politics. He was a Member of both Houses and went on to be a Minister of State. He obviously had great taste because he often holidayed in the most beautiful constituency in Ireland, Cork South-West. On behalf of my party, I extend our sympathy to Leonora, Donal, and our former colleague Joe, who is a friend to many in both Houses. God rest Donal's soul.

I would like to officially congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Emer Higgins, on her recent appointment as Minister of State for disabilities. I would like to ask her to come to the House to lay out exactly what her plans are. I look forward to working with her and progressing the whole field of disabilities. I have congratulated her personally but would like to do so publicly today. It is very important that there is a plan going ahead and that we in this House are aware of what it is.

In the small time I have left, I ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Heydon, to come in to discuss the whole issue of bluetongue. There are a couple of cases in Northern Ireland. Thankfully, it is not spread from person to person or animal to animal. It is insect spread and, thankfully, there are no fears about human life. However, if it came south, it would have huge consequences for our agricultural industry. I would like to invite the Minister to the House so that we might know exactly what the plans are to ensure this does not spread and to give more information about the whole thing.