I welcome the Minister of State on the occasion of these important statements we have on a weekly basis on the foot and mouth disease outbreak. I commend the Government parties on having this important discussion. The issue is of such significance to the country nationally that it is important we discuss it in this House, examine it and keep it monitored on a weekly basis.

The Minister started off by commending the Opposition. That is what Parliament should be about. We should be able to have a good debate, particularly at a time of crisis, on an issue of national importance, and at no time should we politicise the issue. We did not do so in this instance. The Minister referred to the level of interest communities took in co-operating on this matter. I have never heard of so many people responding to inquire what they could do in their own small way. That was significant. I would go further and say that the response and the attitude of people living in urban Ireland was something for which rural Ireland, including the farming industry and farming organisations, should always be grateful. When we look back on history on how town and country have had a go at each other, the way city folk and town folk responded to this emergency should be recorded.

The Minister of State said that we considered the measures introduced some weeks ago to deal with rogue dealers and the eradication of this disease as draconian. We did, but we agreed they were essential. I wholeheartedly agree with the Minister of State's statement. We have witnessed in the constituency we share in recent weeks that people there are concerned they will be given a bad name simply because some individuals are reckless about the way they operate and do not uphold laws we have made in this House. I am proud we were involved in making those laws. I am also proud they will have an effect in the long term of putting those people out of business. Some of those people have given agriculture and our food producers a bad name at home and abroad. At the end of this learning and, perhaps, cleansing process we will probably have a better industry.

The Government has been dealing with the movement of stock to the best of its ability. We are all concerned about the situation in the North and will keep our fingers crossed for the next few hours that the results will be negative. This time of the year is a time of change in the farming world. Animals, including calves, are being put out to grass. There is a major problem, partic ularly in southern counties where farmers are accustomed to selling their calves and young store cattle. This gives rise to a serious financial problem because farmers are relying on the sale of stock to pay outstanding bills. For example, in the case of ACC loans, there is a moiety due for payment on 1 May, which farmers will be unable to meet if they are still restricted from selling cattle. The situation should be reviewed in the context of once-off movement, possibly, under a permit system under which either Teagasc or the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development would identify and establish contact between those farmers with calves to sell and those wishing to buy. I am not advocating wholesale unlimited movement of livestock, but rather a carefully controlled and managed system of movement. The problems arising from both food shortages and financial difficulties need to be addressed.

I am aware that changes are due to come into operation shortly in relation to the current restrictions on the operation of the artificial insemination service, but I am requesting clarification of the situation, including the operative date and the arrangements with regard to private operators. This is a critical time of year in the cattle breeding process as the supply of calves next year will depend on decisions being made. Unless the situation is properly managed and monitored, the quality of livestock could be adversely affected as a result of the activities of unlicensed operators.

The Minister of State referred to the effects of the current restrictions on the tourism sector, including agri-tourism. This affects many people in rural areas for whom the income from tourism, holiday homes and various small businesses is an important part of their livelihood. The director of CERT addressed a meeting of South Tipperary County Council last week. One of the issues raised on that occasion was the difficulty of those involved in the hotel and catering industry and related tourism activities in meeting their due payment of rates. I urge the Minister of State to bring that issue to the attention of the Government. He will be well aware of the plight of many small businesses in the current crisis in his own county and throughout the country. As a gesture of recognition of the problems of that important non-farming sector in terms of borrowings and their commitment to employees, the Government should consider a once-off abatement of rates.

I thank the Government side of the House for agreeing to the facility for a weekly review of problems and concerns arising from the current restrictions. I trust that the news expected shortly from Northern Ireland will be favourable.

On the AI issue, the AI centre veterinarians will certify all technicians whom they are satisfied to have been satisfactorily trained in accordance with the protocol. In other words, they must attend for training this week. We are concerned about the "cowboy" element which has been operating for some weeks without any proper controls or monitoring. Training and certification will be compulsory from now on.

I also welcome the Minister of State to give an update on developments concerning the foot and mouth disease crisis which has hit the economy. The disease is rampant in Britain and spreading in other European countries. We are left with questions which need answers, some of which are not available. The point at which the Minister of State concluded his statement is where I would like to start. All sides of the House have supported the efforts of the Government to ensure the disease is contained and will not spread beyond the one outbreak in County Louth. The rogue dealers to whom the Minister of State referred have no place in society or the practice of farming, whether in Tipperary, Louth, Cork or any other part of the country.

Good farming practice is an endeavour to produce a quality food product. While this is not a human health issue, it is part of a programme of good farming practices. When the relevant legislation was before the House I had no problem in saying that it was not draconian. I asked if it went far enough because what has been happening has threatened to destroy our major industry. Thanks to the vigilance of the Government, the co-operation of the Opposition, hard work by departmental officials and the many agencies concerned the situation has been kept under control.

There is a risk of complacency creeping in. There are even signs of this in the agriculture sector, perhaps due to the farming pressures with which the Minister of State is very familiar. There is a danger in the requests for an easing of restrictions. We are aware of the difficulties in the dairy sector in the south and the pressures in relation to calves, stores and pure-bred stock. We need, however, to consider how much greater the pressures would be if the disease took hold in the countryside and the enormous difficulties to which that would give rise. It is vitally important that farmers do not become complacent. The temporary hardships can be overcome, as farmers overcame hardships in past decades.

In this context, I particularly welcome the level of co-operation achieved between Northern Ireland and the Republic. When we debated the Animal Diseases Bill I called for a combined effort, North and South, in a one island approach to the control of animal diseases common to farming in both areas. I am glad this is in progress and that the farming organisations, North and South, have come together. It will not be easy because there are many problems, but it would be a wonderful achievement if we could have an all-Ireland approach to finding solutions not alone to this problem, but to others down the road. With close co-operation and the regionalisation of the North, which Europe has accepted, it would be possible, even now, to take an all- Ireland approach to the control of diseases and the many other common problems that we have. Were that to occur in the long term, a protocol could be put in place to enable a common approach to all problems. That would be a great achievement.

My one great concern is how the disease came into Ireland, the UK and Europe. For some time now, I have been asking how good are the regulations governing the importation into the EU of food products, particularly meat products, and how well these regulations are being enforced. I ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and the Minister of State to raise these issues at European level at a more appropriate time. We all know that diseases from Asian and South American countries are finding their way into the EU. Are they coming in through legal or illegal transactions? These matters should be discussed at EU level and one of the issues I will raise at the meeting this evening of the Joint Committee of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Commissioner David Byrne is the border controls required to stop them. I am aware that the Government, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, his Minister of State and Department officials are engaged in that debate.

We face another problem. Senator Tom Hayes referred to the build-up of calves in the south. Because we are no longer exporting those animals, there has been a huge build-up relative to last year when this country exported about 400,000 live cattle. This raises a question of growing importance which I have referred to in the past, that is, the continued free movement of live animals within the EU. There is a need for a new protocol. We as an exporting nation need to protect the live export trade to both European and non-European countries. This requires certain protocols and changes in approach, which are a matter for the EU.

If we do not protect this trade, it will have a huge negative impact. We have to be aware that policy makers in certain European countries, notably Germany and the Netherlands, both of which carry considerable weight, are beginning to speak loud and clear about changing policy on live exports. We have to pre-empt the possibility that these countries will set a policy in train, which could totally negative and impact upon the export of live cattle. God help us this year if we had not had that trade last year. We need those exports for the balance of trade.

The Minister and Senator Tom Hayes both referred to my next point. Whether we are talking about tourism or the farming industry, people have financial difficulties at present. The financial institutions have a role to play in meeting this challenge. The bottom line, making profits, should not be the determining factor in how they deal with clients who have borrowed money. That factor should be more human and social and it would be right for this House to call on the financial institutions to show a social conscience and refrain from pushing people in the farming or tourism sector to the wall.

Everyone knows that there are cattle to be sold, money is not being paid back to lenders and people are under pressure for various reasons. It is fair to ask the financial institutions to play their role in this crisis like the ordinary people who have done so well. I join in the words of thanks and appreciation that have gone out to the various organisations who have played their roles and to the people at large. It could be said that foot and mouth is an agricultural problem, that it is farmers' trouble, but the public at large has done a tremendous job that has extended even beyond rowing in behind every request made of them.

We, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and the Minister of State are coming under pressure for greater releases. Let it be done in a most studied fashion. We are not doing too badly. There are inconveniences and we are suffering a bit but how much more would we suffer if the disease were to affect us to anything near the extent that it affects our neighbour? I will not reflect on what our neighbour has or has not done. There is no point as the story tells its own tale. Let us keep the disease out. We have to withstand the pressures we face.

I fully support the Minister's comments about the rogue dealers and farmers. There is no place for them. They do not represent me or the thousands of farmers out there who do things reasonably well. They are a cancer. The factories and abattoirs have been getting away with blue murder. They must also be examined and brought within the ambit of the law. Let the full rigours of the law take their course.

May I share time with Senator Henry? I will be very brief. The Minister and his words are welcome. He talked about a national crisis. I believe the words for crisis and opportunity are the same in Chinese. This is an opportunity for us. Senator Callanan has talked about an opportunity. We have not used these opportunities in the past. In 1996 when BSE hit Britain, we were aware that we could do something about it, yet just last week we were told we can no longer sell T-bone steaks on the bone. Britain and Portugal can do so but in those five years we did not do what we should have done. We did not introduce ear tagging. We have nobody to blame but ourselves. If there is a crisis, it is also an opportunity.

I will touch on one other point. We talked about the spirit of working together and the commitment of the nation, particularly of those not involved in agriculture. The tourism business has been given a huge wake-up call here. This is an opportunity. The part of the speech that I waited for and which I was delighted to hear is that the St Patrick's Day festivities will be allowed to proceed around 18 to 20 May. As the Minister mentioned, I am chairman of the national St. Patrick's festival. We will go ahead with all the planned events which we will announce next week.

Will the Minister encourage the Government to regard this as the biggest St. Patrick's festival ever? It will celebrate getting over this problem. I know it is too early and we must wait until 19 April, but I hope on 20 April we will announce the best ever St. Patrick's festival taking place next month. It will contain all the elements we had planned before but will be seen as a celebration and an expression of gratitude to the people, particularly the non-agricultural sector which dedicated and committed itself with enthusiasm to getting over the problem. The opportunity is there and we should be sure to grasp it.

I thank Senator Quinn for sharing his time with me. Thanks probably have been sent already but I feel sure that other Members of the House would like to join me in sending our thanks to the staff of the Pirbright laboratory who have given us incredible service over the past few months. I express some interest here because the head of the laboratory is a constituent of mine. Dr. Donaldson is a veterinary graduate of Trinity College Dublin.

I knew the Senator would not miss the opportunity.

All politics are local.

I have written to thank him personally but I feel the Seanad would like to let him know that we are very grateful. I heard mention at the beginning of this outbreak that we should have a viral reference laboratory for foot and mouth disease. That would be absolute madness. It is a very infectious virus and should we wait 50 years trying to hold on to it in a few vials before the next outbreak? The only other foot and mouth viral reference laboratory I know of is on an island off Denmark. We should also recognise that to have the facility of a laboratory of such high international repute is very important.

It is interesting that in this country none of the initial antibody tests which proved negative were later proved wrong with the growth of virus from tissue. That is very important. Once we had initial negative tests we were in a good position to know that the follow-up test when the virus was grown would also be negative. It is very fortunate that we have such a laboratory so near at hand to do work for us as well as the enormous amount of work it has to do in Great Britain.

I thank the Minister for coming in to give us an update. I share the Minister's concern about the report from Cookstown, County Tyrone, this evening where there seems to be serious concern among veterinary and Ministry officials that this may be a positive case. We can only hope otherwise. The chilling aspect of this is that it is a case affecting dairy cows. That would be a new departure in the spread of the disease. There is also a huge pig population in that part of Tyrone and we all know that if foot and mouth disease gets into the pig herd it is extremely serious. One can only feel trepidation at what is unfolding. We may know the result within an hour but can only hope that it will be a false alarm.

The situation in the United Kingdom is very serious. Some of the outbreaks this week were in areas far from areas of existing outbreaks. It has jumped outside excluded areas and one can only presume the disease was transmitted by human contact. The precautions in place in the UK do not match those of this country. We do not wish to interfere in their affairs but we have a serious interest in this. We should say that we are not happy with the arrangements in terms of exclusion zones etc. It is clear that the mass epidemic they now have has to do with the fact that there is laxity in how they have sealed off areas where an outbreak has taken place. We can only appeal to them to redouble their efforts. The politics and the economics of agriculture in the UK are entirely different from those here. Britain will pay a terrible price for this outbreak because when it is all over it will cost billions to their food industry. They need to take that into account, despite the fact that primary agriculture accounts for very little of GDP output and very little of employment share in the UK.

The last day I spoke I asked about the situation in regard to Athleague. The first major scare we had south of the Border after the outbreak in Meigh related to the taking of sheep from that farm to be slaughtered in Athleague. Those sheep were afterwards exported to France. It is clear that illegality surrounded that consignment of sheep. There has been intensive Garda activity surrounding the issue but everyone wants to know if anyone will be charged. Surely the Minister knows more than he is saying. I know he may be precluded from saying too much because of ongoing Garda investigations but there are things he ought to be saying about it. People need to be assured that the issue is being pursued by the Garda, that it has identified suspects and that it intends to press charges. It is important to assure the public and the farming community that the matter is being taken seriously by the authorities. The Minister should be less taciturn and say a little more about it.

Extensification payments etc. will soon be issued to farmers and some of these payments are subject to inspection. Each year a number of files are pulled by the Department and they are sent for compliance inspection. Obviously there have been no compliance inspections this year since the scare took place. In view of the financial pinch farmers are feeling, I ask the Minister to ensure there will not be a withholding of payments under the beef premium scheme, the suckler cow scheme, the extensification scheme, the headage scheme and the various sheep schemes. There should be no delays in payments.

Senator Tom Hayes mentioned that in the south of Ireland the aspect of dairy farming where calves have to be transported to the west for sale cannot happen because of the ban on the movement of all animals. That is having a serious effect on the fodder situation on these farms which in turn translates itself into a serious effect on the income on the farm. The majority of farmers here would not survive without income support. Nothing irritates or frustrates farmers more than a delay in income support payments. They see them as an entitlement and they have budgeted on their arrival on a certain date. It is necessary to have a compliance inspection, but then payment is delayed for many months. I ask the Minister of State to ensure there is no delay.

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for updating us and keeping his word to me. When the legislation was debated last month I proposed an amendment which would have required tagging to be made compulsory by law. The Minister, on the basis of a guarantee given by him that this would be done, asked me to withdraw the amendment. I did so and it was taken on board. That was appreciated. It is important to acknowledge this because we work on the basis of mutual trust.

I welcome the Department's important decision to ease the prohibition of movement and allow the activities mentioned by the Minister of State. From dealing with the Departments of Education, North and South, I am aware of the problems. I was glad when the TUI received permission from the Northern authorities to hold its conference in Belfast.

I compliment the authorities on both sides of the Border, particularly on the southern side, on the arrangements in place. Many complain that there are inadequate checks on the Border. I have an office in Belfast to which I often go. Knowing that we would discuss the matter today, I took careful notes on my visit to Belfast yesterday. On the way there and back, there were four separate Garda checks, not just on the Border, but on the N52 on my way north and the N1 on my return. There were also two RUC checks on the A1, not on the Border, and my car was sprayed four times. It is important to realise that this is happening.

Taking nothing away from our Northern colleagues, I also compliment the Department on the efficiency of the spray system on the southern side of the Border. This should be noted. Listeners ought to ring Marian Finucane's radio show to tell her in order to bring balance to the debate.

I am aware of the impact on tourism in respect of which there should be advice about school tours. Many small businesses which advertise in our magazine have been devastated, losing one year's income, because agricultural related and outdoor tours have been prohibited for the last month. I took a call from one operator whose arrangements had been cancelled and could hear his wife crying in the background. I would like such tours to go ahead.

The three teacher unions are holding their annual conferences shortly. While it would be a great relief for a general secretary not to have to do so, we realise the impact they will have on the local tourism industry. Our conference next week is a recognition that the industry in Tralee can deal with it. We have received advice from the Department – I have spoken to the Minister directly – and advise members to take every precaution to ensure they do not cause any difficulty.

It will be straight to Dingle with no stops on the way.

Exactly. That would be perfect. Hoteliers in Tralee were relieved when we informed them two weeks ago that it was our intention, unless advised otherwise, to go ahead with the conference.

The work of groups such as AgriAware which interact with schools has been inhibited. In the next two weeks there would have been the usual annual urban-rural day activities which have now been cancelled. They are also a loss. The Department might consider easing restrictions in these areas where all those involved are security conscious and responsible. As some of these activities take place on farms, this might not be possible. Many farms and outdoor activities depend on school tours for business. We can see the difference in Leinster House where at this time of year the House is normally packed with pupils and people begin to see what it is like to be a teacher. None of these activities is taking place and there is a sense of loss at all levels.

I compliment the Minister on providing for tagging and thank the Department for the arrangements in place on the Border and the important decisions taken regarding access for British visitors. It has done a great job. I am as happy for it as the country that the disease is contained. I hope the news from County Tyrone will be good.

I welcome the Minister of State. It is good that the disease is contained. I hope this will continue to be the position. I agree with previous speakers that certain restrictions should be reviewed. The Minister of State spoke about AI services, a matter which affects County Clare where small to medium dairy herdowners rely on the service provided, unlike larger farmers in the Minister of State's constituency of Tipperary South.

Where they own their own bulls.

The Minister of State might not be aware of how this service affects small to medium farmers. He stated that from 19 April AI services will be available, subject to a protocol. Will he give us the full details? This will have an economic impact next year on milk production. This must be considered.

While we appreciate the difficulties that arise in the movement of cattle, we must look at the practicalities. The entire population has taken the matter seriously and responded responsibly. Dairy farmers have calves on their farms which normally would be sold at this time of year. Despite the difficulties, something must be done about movement. The stipulation that a lorry can only enter and deliver animals from one farm to one other location must again be reviewed. It is working against medium and small farmers and the cost involved is serious.

I take the opportunity of complimenting the group on the work it has done. It has addressed matters in a very serious manner. I also compliment the public which has responded in a very responsible manner.

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, among others, has lifted restrictions on visiting various parks and public facilities. I ask the Minister of State to examine the area of walking holidays. Many come to County Clare for walking holidays and use the green roads across the Burren. Many of those involved in the tourism business are experiencing a huge impact, with up to 70% cancellations for walking holidays. The Minister of State is familiar with Lisdoonvarna where a number of business people are feeling the impact. I am making representations directly to him at the behest of people from the area and ask him to raise the matter and address it with the review group. Even allowing people walk on public roads, rather than green roads, would relieve the situation. The apparent ban which currently applies across the board is a disincentive to those coming on holidays. If the Minister of State wishes to respond, perhaps he could do so at the conclusion of statements as his antics are distracting me.

I was hoping the Senator would declare her interest.

The Chair might encourage the Minister of State to restrain himself.

As time is very limited, I suggest that the Senator should not provoke interventions from the Minister of State.

It has been limited more by the Minister of State's antics. I ask him to address the situation pertaining to walking tours which is impacting on tourism in many parts of the country.

I would also like details on the protocol relating to AI operators and ask for some common sense in relation to dropped calves because people do not have fodder and there is huge congestion, which raises animal health issues. The Minister of State addressed the reason there are shortages of fodder. The economy should be allowed to progress as normally as possible. This issue should be addressed.

I thought the Senator would declare her interests in the tourism business. She has a large—

I do not have an interest in the areas to which I referred.

The Senator said that those involved in the tourism industry in those areas were affected. I assumed that she was one of them. She is, probably, making enough money to continue.

The fact that people are not walking is to my benefit.

The Minister of State should be allowed to conclude without interruption.

As I explained to Senator Hayes, there is a protocol in place for AI. Provision has been made for those involved to attend courses and be given certification on how to take proper precautions. Worryingly, in recent weeks people have been operating illegally. They have not followed the proper protocol and we do not know the origin of the animal bloodline or how good it is, which will be a problem. This time next year, however, we will know from the dates of birth of animals who followed it. There will be traceability, a vital component. I look forward to the results.

It is still necessary to be extremely cautious. When regulations were relaxed in England in 1967 the disease spread for a second time like wildfire. The farming community is getting very impatient when they are the ones who will receive the greatest benefit from the regulations.