Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the powers she has to control ingress and egress into and from Ireland in the event of a serious outbreak of avian flu; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18889/06]

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied regarding the measures currently in place to protect Ireland against an outbreak of avian flu; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18768/06]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to prevent an outbreak of avian flu here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18796/06]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding arrangements to deal with a possible outbreak of avian flu; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18864/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 67, 72 and 75 together.

The position throughout Europe is relatively stable. To date thirteen Member States have had cases/outbreaks of H5N1 Avian 'flu, of which only three have been in poultry/game. The number of cases in wild birds notified to the EU fell by over 50 per cent between March and April (from 355 cases to 158).

I have, since last September, put in place a comprehensive range of contingency measures aimed at minimising the risk of the virus being introduced to Ireland and ensuring that the Department is equipped, in the event of an outbreak, to ensure its very early identification and speedy eradication. A particular focus in terms of minimising the risk posed to our poultry flocks is to encourage very high levels of biosecurity on poultry farms and the Department has written to over 8,000 poultry farmers enclosing an Information Booklet for Registered Poultry Flockowners. The main objective is to avoid contact between wild birds and domestic poultry, their litter and feed. Further advice issued to all poultry flockowners advising them of the need to ensure that all water sourced from surface supplies used for poultry is treated to inactivate any viruses. This is a key message from my Department, which we have repeated given the potential for the virus to be spread by water to which wild birds may have had access.

In February, I appointed an Expert Advisory Group, comprised of veterinary, scientific, medical and ornithological experts to advise me in relation to animal health control measures. That Group has now met on three occasions and has consistently concluded that the control measures currently in place are appropriate, given the current level of risk posed by avian 'flu. The day-to-day disease management responsibility and planning with regard to avian 'flu rests within my Department.

Contingency planning is continuing and contact is being maintained with other Government Departments / Offices and State Agencies on whose assistance we may rely including an Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, the Civil Defence, the National Parks & Wildlife Service etc. Due to the potential public health aspect associated with avian 'flu, my Department has engaged the services of an Occupational Health Specialist and I am also availing of the assistance of the School of Public Health in UCD who have just finalised occupational health protocols for those involved in disease control activities. These are being made available to the various supporting agencies as soon as possible.

In the event of an outbreak in either wild birds or domestic poultry, the immediate measures to be put into place are provided for in EU legislation and have already been put into effect in those Member States affected by the disease. My Department has circulated all registered poultry flockowners setting out the measures to be implemented in the event of avian 'flu in wild birds or an outbreak in poultry and the implications of those measures for those located in the areas.

Finally, because of the obvious mutual concerns shared by authorities on both sides of the border, there has been and continues to be close ongoing contact between my Department and DARD in Belfast and DEFRA in Britain.

With regard to the importation of birds, an EU-wide ban is in place in respect of the importation of exotic or hobby birds from Third Countries, with the exception of consignments of five or fewer pet birds accompanying their owners who are permanently transferring their residence. The intra-community trade in such birds is provided for subject to the requirements of a General Authorisation issued under the European Communities (Diseases of Animals Acts, 1966 and 1979 Orders) (General Authorisations for Imports) Regulations 1985, and the conditions attaching thereto.

My Department undertakes inspections of import consignments, at points of import, on the basis of a spot-check regime which is itself based on risk-assessment for disease purposes.

The precautionary measures in place are robust and provide for the full implementation of all EU controls, including those relating to the importation of exotic birds. It should be noted that imports of pet birds from within the EU represent a low risk to Ireland's health status; the avian 'flu virus being more prevalent in wild birds whose entry cannot be controlled or certified.

I am satisfied, given the range of measures in place and the vigilant approach being taken to the threat posed, that our contingency arrangements are fully proportionate to the current risk and will continue to be kept under constant review and I will not hesitate to revise our controls should circumstances so demand.