153 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans he has regarding prevention measures involving restrictions on personal and group activities, particularly in Dublin and other urban centres, with specific reference to the increasing evidence of serious tourism losses in the hotel and guesthouse sectors. [8912/01]

I am acutely aware of the potential losses in the tourism sector, and in other sectors, arising from the measures in place to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease. For this reason, these measures are being reviewed on an ongoing basis by an expert group under the chairmanship of Professor Michael Monaghan, Dean of the veterinary faculty in UCD.

The findings of this group have already been well publicised and I have arranged to have a copy sent to the Deputy. In essence, urban based activities not involving access to land on which susceptible animals have been present in the recent past may proceed, with appropriate precautions. However, the advice that people should not travel from rural areas of the UK, and that events likely to attract people in high risk categories – farmers, vets and others involved in the agri-business industry – should not proceed, remains.

I should point out that the measures in place are intended to prevent the longer term and more damaging impact that the uncontrolled spread of foot and mouth disease would undoubtedly have on the tourism sector and other sectors.