Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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811. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department’s current surveillance and containment measures in response to the most recent outbreak of avian influenza among Irish poultry flocks; the number and location of outbreaks confirmed since September 2025; the supports being made available to affected poultry farmers, including compensation for stock losses, enhanced biosecurity grants, and advice on restocking timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61815/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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There have been three outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry in Ireland since September 2025, in Co Carlow, Co Meath and Co Monaghan with all 3 occurring in November 2025. My Department has implemented a 3km radius protection zone and a 10km radius surveillance zone around each of the affected premises, wherein animal movements are currently prohibited except under licence. Disease control and eradication measures are being applied as required under the EU Animal Health Law and national legislation.

My Department performs year round monitoring of the avian influenza disease situation in wild birds to inform the risks presented to poultry and captive birds. My Department also carries out avian influenza surveillance testing throughout the year in targeted dead wild birds to understand if avian influenza is circulating in the wild bird population.

The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides that compensation to owners of animals may be payable if a cull of those animals is directed by my Department in the event of an outbreak of HPAI. The compensation may relate to the animal that is culled, or to an animal product, animal feed or similar item that is destroyed in relation to the outbreak. The compensation may not exceed the open market value of the animal or item. My Department continues to monitor the developing situation and provides support and guidance to those affected by these recent outbreaks.

Further information on avian influenza can be found on the Government Website at: www.gov.ie/birdflu

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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812. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged with the poultry industry and retail sector to assess the likely impact of the 2025 avian influenza outbreak on the domestic supply and price of turkeys and other poultry products during the Christmas period; if contingency plans are in place to stabilise supply and prevent price inflation for consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61816/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been engaging regularly with poultry industry stakeholders in relation to the threat of avian influenza and the disease control measures which have been introduced.

To further protect the Irish poultry industry, biosecurity measures regulations were put in place by my Department on 1st November. Additional regulations came into force effective from Monday, 10th November, which require flock keepers to confine all poultry and captive birds in their possession or under their control in a secure building.

Ireland remains in the higher risk period (October to April) for the introduction of avian influenza. Strict biosecurity is the number one method in preventing and controlling the spread of the disease, and all flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Regional Veterinary Office. All poultry holdings should be registered with my Department, regardless of size. Additional information on avian influenza can be found on the Government website at: www.gov.ie/birdflu

The flocks that have been, or are in the process of being, depopulated in the impacted holdings during recent outbreaks comprise a very small percentage of the total amount of poultry that is typically available in the run up to the Christmas period.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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813. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current biosecurity and import-control measures at ports, airports, and border inspection posts to prevent the introduction or spread of avian influenza from Great Britain or continental Europe; the frequency of veterinary inspections on imported poultry, eggs, and related products; whether additional surveillance or temporary restrictions are being considered during the 2025 Christmas production period given the recent confirmed outbreaks in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61817/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The rules relating to the entry to the Union of poultry are harmonised in EU law (Animal Health Law – Reg 2016/429).

Strict controls are in place, prohibiting the entry to the Union of poultry (including day-old chicks or hatching eggs) from establishments within a 10 km radius of which there has been an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) during the period of at least 30 days prior to the date of loading for dispatch to the Union, and/or in which a confirmed case of infection with low pathogenic avian influenza viruses has been reported during the period of at least 21 days prior to the date of loading for dispatch to the Union.

My Department performs documentary and identity controls on 100% of consignments of live animals and animal products to ensure each consignment complies with the rules. In addition, physical inspections are performed on 100% of live animals entering the EU through a Border Control Post in Ireland, to ensure no animals displaying symptoms of infectious disease are permitted entry.

Strict Biosecurity measures are essential to prevent HPAI outbreaks. All flock owners should ensure that they are implementing the appropriate biosecurity measures. They should also report any clinical signs of disease to their local Regional Veterinary Office or to the Avian Influenza Hotline on 01 607 2512 (9am-6pm) or, outside of office hours, the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026. Additional information on avian influenza can be found on the Government Website at: www.gov.ie/birdflu