I should like to ask the Minister to review the issue of compensation in view of his response to our questions. Is the Minister aware that in the UK the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries have a compensation programme? Is the Minister aware that if stock is destroyed by order of that Ministry the fishermen, or the farmers as they prefer to call themselves, are compensated particularly if there is more than 10 per cent infection as we have in Cork Harbour? We have a provision in our legislation to deal with such a matter in that compensation is paid for reactor cattle. Will the Minister consider introducing a similar type of compensation programme for our farmers and fishermen?

I will look into that suggestion to see if it will be possible to introduce such a programme but I do not think we should get involved in the question of compensation. We should be taking a decision in the interests of the protection of the industry and the livelihood of the people involved. I will look at the UK legislation to see if we can introduce a programme like that suggested by the Deputy.

In fact, the French have reseeding grants.

The French oyster industry was devastated by this disease but we have avoided such destruction by taking quick and decisive action.

If we get a fish pathologist we will continue to avoid that.