29 March 2001 Edition
Increased vigilance needed to contain outbreak
Commenting in the Dáil last week on the confirmed cases of Foot and Mouth in County Louth, Cavan/Monaghan Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said:
``I assure the Minister for Agriculture and Food of my continued support and that of my party for his and his Department's efforts to contain the foot and mouth outbreak. Today's news that there are confirmed cases in Co. Louth is extremely worrying and a deep disappointment to all who have been working tirelessly to combat the spread of the disease, and to the community at large which has been cooperating in such a united and determined way with all the precautionary measures. Those efforts and that co-operation must now be redoubled and we all have a bounden responsibility to play our part.
``Our sympathy goes out to the families in Louth who are most immediately affected by these confirmed cases. The minister places some emphasis on the fact that this is a secondary outbreak within an existing exclusion zone. We all wish that this will remain so. Increased vigilance and full cooperation can hopefully contain this outbreak.
``Undoubtedly there is an immediate question in the minds of many as to what effect this outbreak will have on individual schedules and on whole communities. The minister must provide speedy advice following consultation with his department officials and the Expert Group regarding restrictions on activity and movement of people.''
``I assure the Minister for Agriculture and Food of my continued support and that of my party for his and his Department's efforts to contain the foot and mouth outbreak. Today's news that there are confirmed cases in Co. Louth is extremely worrying and a deep disappointment to all who have been working tirelessly to combat the spread of the disease, and to the community at large which has been cooperating in such a united and determined way with all the precautionary measures. Those efforts and that co-operation must now be redoubled and we all have a bounden responsibility to play our part.
``Our sympathy goes out to the families in Louth who are most immediately affected by these confirmed cases. The minister places some emphasis on the fact that this is a secondary outbreak within an existing exclusion zone. We all wish that this will remain so. Increased vigilance and full cooperation can hopefully contain this outbreak.
``Undoubtedly there is an immediate question in the minds of many as to what effect this outbreak will have on individual schedules and on whole communities. The minister must provide speedy advice following consultation with his department officials and the Expert Group regarding restrictions on activity and movement of people.''