There are no indications that foot-and-mouth has spread from the UK to the Republic of Ireland, the Government said today.
During a press conference, the Minister for Agriculture Mr Walsh said the Department has imposed measures as though there was an outbreak in the country.
"There are no signs of an outbreak in the Republic of Ireland, there are no symptoms of an outbreak in the Republic of Ireland, there are no clinical signs, there is no indication whatsoever of a case of foot-and-mouth in the Republic of Ireland."
Due to the incubation period, the Minister said: "As each day passes we have a better chance of avoiding an outbreak."
The Minister said the Kepak meat processing plant in Athleague, Co Roscommon, is co-operating fully with the Department’s investigation into the 249 lambs thought to have come from the contaminated farm in Co Armagh.
The Minister said all staff have been interviewed and supervisory personnel from the Department have overseen the sanitation and disinfection of the plant.
The Minister said there is no proof sheep from the consignment from Carlisle to Armagh came South. He said an intensive inquiry is ongoing and that it is now a criminal investigation involving the Garda, RUC and the Department.
Chief Veterinary Officer Mr Colm Gaynor said the Department is satisfied the full consignment of sheep which left Carlisle has been accounted for. After speaking to the Chief Veterinary Officer in Northern Ireland, Mr Gaynor said: "We believe we have squared away the consignment from Carlisle."
Twelve farms in the Republic are under restriction as a precautionary measure, and the Minister said the Department is responding to reports from farmers from around the country but that he does not believe they present any real risk at the moment.
When asked about the length of time temporary bans and restrictions will be in place, the Minister said it was not possible to say. He said in the last outbreak in 1967 a three to five month restriction was in place but on this occasion it is not known the extent of the situation in the Britain.
Referring to cases where people have claimed they have entered the State without detection, the Minister said: "I said from day one we are all in this together. It is potentially the single most devastating matter that could happen to country and the economy since Independence."