Some 23 cases of illegal movement of animals have been detected in one Garda district up to last Tuesday, Fine Gael claimed yesterday. The Fine Gael spokesman on agriculture, Mr Alan Dukes, said he was concerned the Government was "not giving a strong enough lead in maintaining the necessary level of vigilance to protect us against the ravages of foot-and-mouth disease".
He also said there was evidence that disinfectant was not being renewed frequently enough at both private and public premises around the State. "As long as new cases continue to be detected in Great Britain, the State is at serious risk," he said.
Mr Dukes said the Government "must now insist the UK authorities provide disinfection facilities at all ports and airports where people and goods are moving to the State."