Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am glad to note the Government accepted our offer of waiving ordinary Taoiseach's Question Time to deal with this matter. I will not play petty politics with an issue of fundamental importance to the Irish economy. I am deeply concerned about what has happened since an illegal substance found its way into the human food chain. I note the European Union has turned down the Government's request for compensation for processors to get the pork and bacon industry back in full swing and products back on the shelves of retail outlets here and abroad. The Taoiseach is aware that pig farmers are among the most regulated in any agri sector and are required to have specific housing, temperature control, breeds of animals and concentrate feed to get the best product.

This is not their fault or the fault of the processor. It is critical that the industry be allowed to return to work. What is the Government's response to the refusal of the European Union to allow for a compensation package for processors who are not bluffing on this occasion and who simply cannot meet the financial pressure of disposing of stock already in situ?

Information received an hour ago on the results from cattle slaughtered showed that of a total of 3,000 slaughtered, eight of 11 herds are clear and three are above the legal limit for PCBs in beef. This has significant implications. How does the Government propose to deal with the situation where a product recall is not envisaged? How will confidence be restored for consumers at home and abroad in two fundamentally important issues for the Irish economy?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The results from samples taken from 11 of the 35 restricted herds do not have significant implications. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland is satisfied that while there was technical non-compliance in three herds, eight were clear. The level of increased levels of PCBs over proposed levels in beef does represent a risk to the public.

There is no reason for a product recall of beef because the number of cattle in the herds identified as having used the feed is less than 0.08% of the total herd, which is less than one tenth of 1%. The reassurance given by the director of public health and the chief medical officer in the Department of Health and Children confirms there are no such implications. It is important that we listen to the facts and scientific advice and take proportionate action.

Regarding the pork situation, Deputy Kenny suggested support was turned down. That is not correct. An official from the European Commission has outlined its position. We are in discussion with processors to devise the parameters of a general scheme which will be submitted to the European Union. I am confident that private storage will receive assistance. We will make the case for other aspects of the scheme to help processors once this is agreed.

The purpose of the discussion, which has been ongoing since yesterday evening, is to assess the level of product to be turned and then to work from that point.

As the Food Safety Authority of Ireland deputy chief executive said today at a press conference that has just ended, we are awaiting the risk analysis results of the European Food Safety Authority on the secondary products between the gate and the market which are still at the distribution points and are still in storage. Those results are expected this evening or tomorrow.

We want to make sure that the steps taken on Saturday to recall all pork products were based on the analysis of known facts and on the advice of the competent authorities, including the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the chief medical officer of the Department of Health and Children, and the chief veterinary officer of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The analysis and the advice reflected the high levels of contamination detected; the difficulty, if not impossibility, of separating meat from the ten production units concerned from the rest of the output of the relevant processing plants; the need to secure confidence in Irish food and the stringency of the control and regulatory arrangements that underpin food quality here; and the likelihood that in the absence of a recall, importation bans would be applied by individual countries or by the European Union. The public health aspect of this relates to the effects of the cumulative consumption of dioxins, rather than any immediate consequences of the specific consumption of dioxins. That has been explained by the medical officers concerned.

The priority now must be to seek to resume the processing of pork and its immediate restoration to the markets. Half of the output is consumed domestically and 80% of the rest is exported to the UK. That must reflect the focus of marketing and other efforts when production resumes, as we hope it can. The resumption of processing is essential to the 400 pig producers, given the rapid accumulation of animals and the welfare issues which would arise in the absence of an outlet for them. We are in discussions with processors on their position.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach should be grateful that I have not taken a narrow political line on a matter as important as this. I am not talking about the reassurances given by the health officials, because I respect their expertise and their professionalism in this matter. I am talking about consumer confidence. As Minister of State for trade many years ago, I recall having to deal with some aspects of this, and it is incredibly difficult to have confidence restored when something is damaged. The Taoiseach will recall the difficulties we had with exporting beef to Egypt, and these problems were not sorted out by politics, but science. We had to prove beyond yay or nay that the product was first class and that we could stand over it.

I am concerned to hear the Taoiseach talk about devising the parameters of a scheme for submission to the European Union. Have I been incorrectly informed that the EU has ruled out a compensation package for processors here? Has that been confirmed to the Taoiseach? What does he mean when he talks about discussing the parameters of a scheme to get the industry back processing? He is aware that pigs are in the line and that the system cannot wait because the cycle is so short. These processors need to get back to work now. They cannot do that due to the financial pressure that is on them. If they are to resume processing following what the Taoiseach calls the analysis of the parameters of a scheme, how long will that take? Is the scheme ready in the Department? When does the Taoiseach propose to take this to the European Union for its consent? When can he deal with the allegation that the EU has ruled out a compensation package? When can the processors expect to get back to processing pigs?

Is the Taoiseach happy that the Government and the Department have been fully in compliance with the requirements of European rules and regulations on notification? I made reference to the Government's response to the discovery of dioxins in pork. I accept the statement issued by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, in which the authority's medical experts confirmed that there is no risk to public health from beef. They have said that this is consistent with the precautionary approach taken to date. Is the Taoiseach happy that the approach and the response are consistent? Is he happy that the Government's approach will restore confidence to consumers? We are aware that Bord Bia's marketing budget for next year has been cut. I assure the Taoiseach, on the basis of my personal experience, that it is incredibly difficult to restore confidence among people in other countries after it has been damaged. International damage was done in our case. I can testify that bacon products from Great Britain and Denmark were available on shelves throughout the west yesterday. The Government faces a real crisis in dealing with that lack of confidence.

How does the Government propose to deal with the crisis in the pork and bacon sector? What resources will it give to Bord Bia to remarket our pork and beef products, of which we have all been proud over the years, in other countries? How does the Government expect to restore consumer confidence in these two critical products, which are of such importance? I would like the Taoiseach to respond to these questions as generously as he can. I ask him to confirm that he is fully satisfied that the Government and the Department have been absolutely compliant with EU notification and information requirements.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I will certainly reply as factually as I possibly can. In no way is the purpose of these discussions to erode confidence in the products mentioned by the Deputy. The precautionary principle, which is being applied in the pork and beef situations, is the proper principle to apply in the interests of maintaining confidence in Irish products. A decision was taken on foot of the facts as they had been scientifically established and the advice given by the requisite authorities on the action to be taken. In the case of pork, discussions with processors are continuing as we try to get processing up and running as quickly as possible. It is important that we do that for the industry. We are in discussions with the European Union, obviously. The Minister will talk to the Commissioner, Ms Fischer Boel, at 5 p.m. today.

When I was asked last night to give an update on the discussions with the processing industry, I indicated the areas of the schemes we were talking about. We are discussing how to purchase, how to take the products that have been recalled off the market, how to provide a means by which processors can proceed with their activities and how to deal with the requirement to deal with animals that are still in the restricted units. It is obvious that they will have to be disposed of and there is a need to proceed with that. There is also the question of aids to private storage. That will be a very good marketing support mechanism, obviously. When slaughtering resumes, some stock will have to be put in storage pending the normalisation of the market over the coming weeks and months, which is the fervent hope of the industry. The discussions are ongoing. As I said when I replied to the Deputy's initial question, which contained a sort of definitive suggestion that our request had been turned down, we are in the process of devising the scheme that will form the basis for the discussions between the Commissioner, Ms Fischer Boel, and the Minister. The provision of aids to private storage is an aspect of this matter that should get support.

The Deputy referred to precedent when he raised the possibility of direct aid from the State being regarded as a state aid to the industry during this emergency situation. It is obvious that the EU needs to understand our case. That is the aspect in which the EU needs to be involved. We have also kept it involved from the regulatory point of view as the Deputy has suggested in terms of anything that was coming up.

It is important to point out that from the time when the indicative test of a sample of pork fat, which was routinely taken under the Department's national residue monitoring programme, was found to be positive for the presence of contamination, we have seen the daily work that was taken by the Department as a result of that to the point where we finally had confirmation of the presence of dioxins in pork samples at 3.40 p.m. on Saturday. Everything was done as one would expect. The Deputy will know from previous unfortunate experience we had in the past with BSE, for example, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is quite expert in this area and its ability to deal with that competently is well understood. I believe the same applies here in respect of the detection taken, the dealing with it comprehensively and in a proper fashion and with the right notifications.

The other point the Deputy made was on what is to be done about restoring confidence in the marketplace. Of course we will do everything we possibly can. If one looks at the pork industry, 50% is for home consumption. Of the other 50%, some 80% goes to the UK. Taking those together, Britain and Ireland represent the ultimate location of 90% of the pork. We will work very hard with the industry and with major customers to provide all the assurance we can, using the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, our attachés in various markets and the Department of Foreign Affairs and our embassies in whatever way we can to ensure there is an accurate understanding by everybody of what has happened.

The reason for the product recall was to avoid a situation where bans would be imposed, which would mean we would be chasing the issue rather than dealing with it, as we are now. That has been welcomed by both colleagues in EU member state governments and people in other parts of the world for the proactive nature of what we have been trying to achieve. It has brought a serious problem for our own industry here in terms of the pork business and the processing business, and we are in the process of trying to deal with that as we speak. Those discussions continue with a view to trying to see if we can bring them to a successful conclusion as quickly as possible.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I watched the press conference just given by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I was relieved to hear him state it will not be necessary to withdraw beef products based on the examination that been done of 11 of the herds that have been inspected. However, we still have a major problem with pork. I agree with the comments that have been made that the critical issue to all this now is consumer confidence. When I went to my local food market yesterday evening, the shelves where the rashers and sausages used to be were bare and there was a big black notice explaining why. As long as the pork products are not on the shelf, consumer confidence will continue to diminish.

Three things are critical and urgent. First, we need to get pork products back on the shelves again. Second, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food needs to make a clear statement that it is safe to purchase and consume pork again. Third, that statement needs to be backed up by a similar statement by the European Commissioner. Can the Taoiseach tell us when pork products will be back on the supermarket shelves? When will the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food be in a position to give the assurance to our domestic consumers and consumers abroad that Irish pork is safe to purchase and consume? There is not much point in having our diplomatic service and our food promotion agencies working night and day to promote Irish pork products if the pork products are not available to be purchased.

I remember the BSE crisis, which arose because of a problem with the foodstuff fed to cattle. I was a little surprised that this problem arose, again, from a problem with the foodstuff fed to livestock and which is, therefore, entering the food chain. I was doubly surprised to read that the feed plant at the centre of this issue had not been inspected for a year. Is it true no inspection was done on the Bunclody plant for a year? Even if it had been inspected by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the problem might not have been identified because the problem with the fuel does not come under the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, but is in the EPA's remit. Is there an inter-agency problem?

I was also surprised that a report in one of today's newspapers said the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food explained this on the grounds that it was low risk. We are about to pay a very high price for the low-risk approach that was being taken to the inspection of this foodstuff recycling plant. I would like some explanation of what inspections were carried out and if the results of the last inspections will be published or made available.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is correct that we want pork products back on the shelves as quickly as possible. An assurance can be given that, post-recall, all Irish pork products on shelves at home and abroad will be proper and appropriate products. Those ten production units on the nine farms identified as being in receipt of the contaminated feed are restricted and no product from those farms will find its way onto the food market. It is correct to say that as soon as we can get processing back up and running we will be able to give that guarantee. That is the reason the discussions we are having are so urgent and are ongoing. That assurance can be given. The source of the contamination, the feed, and the pork fat which was contaminated as a result, will not come on the market because of the restriction on the units concerned.

The place that manufactured this dough, which was fed into a composition of a crumb that was part of the feed of pigs and cattle on the 38 units, 45 herds of which are being examined, was inspected in 2007. It was an annual inspection. The EPA would deal with the question of the oil. The manufacturer was obliged to use suitable oil for that purpose. It is clear at this stage of the investigation that it was an unsuitable oil product and this seems to be the source of the contamination. The FSAI has said that is the likely source, and those investigations continue. The owners are being spoken to about that to get to the bottom of it. The oil should not have been used by the owners of the plant. It has had this outcome. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the FSAI have reacted to that and we are in this position as a result of it.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Taoiseach says the owners of the Bunclody plant are being spoken to in an effort to get to the bottom of it. Has the Taoiseach got to the bottom of it? Does the Taoiseach or the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food know exactly what happened here? When can a statement be made setting out what caused the problem?

With regard to the return of pork products to the market, I understand discussions with the processors are ongoing. Does the Taoiseach agree that with every passing day and hour that pork products are not back on sale, consumer confidence both here and abroad is being diminished? There is an urgency about getting pork products back on the shelf not only to restore consumer confidence, but to secure the industry and people's jobs by getting things moving again. The longer this is delayed, the more damage will be done. We understand that what happened happened. There will be time to go back over what happened in Bunclody. Action had to be taken to recall the products, but I am not seeing a sense of urgency — although I do not want to be critical in this regard — about getting the product moving again. I would like to offer the Taoiseach a second opportunity to give the House an indication of when we are likely to see pork products back on the supermarket shelf.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Of course there is an urgency to this, but it is also necessary to show a degree of calm and demonstrate the comprehensiveness of the Government's response as a means of bolstering confidence. We should not project beyond the scientific facts of the situation, because people will start to add two and two and get six, and that is not a good thing, particularly when one is talking about consumer confidence. I have been anxious, from the time this came before us for a decision, to establish the facts, take the relevant advice and decide the action to be taken based on that advice. That is what we have done throughout this process in order to ensure clarity and prevent a fog of confusion from building up around the matter. People often head off on tangents that lead them away from the central issue.

The central issue is that we have identified the source of the contamination and the units that received the feed. We have restricted those herds from going into the food chain. We then had to apply the precautionary principle with regard to the products that were already on the market. A product recall was carried out. Confirmation was given that there was no risk to public health. This was verified by the Food Safety Authority and the Department of Health and Children. People may take strong reassurance from all these facts, which have been communicated. Everyone, including the media, is to be thanked for the responsible way in which this matter was reported and communicated to the public, because this is important. I acknowledge that and I am grateful for it.

With regard to the cattle herds affected — the number is now 45, as has been explained by Mr. Rogan — it must be worked out from the database whether any of these cattle has gone from one herd to another. Mr. Rogan explained the reasoning behind this at the press conference. Again, there is an emphasis on a comprehensive approach and zero tolerance of any suggestion of contamination. The swiftness of these actions and the comprehensiveness of the approach has been recorded and responded to internationally, and this has won us support in places whose markets we wish to retain. These are important considerations. Had we not taken that approach, unilateral decisions would have been taken by individual EU member states and other states regarding the banning of pork products, with all the difficulties that would entail. Thus, markets remain open on the basis that we issued a product recall.

Deputy Gilmore also mentioned the need for urgency in getting the matter resolved on the processing side. We are now dealing with secondary processors and the risk analysis by the European Food Safety Authority. The authority will come to a conclusion on the matter either this evening or tomorrow and will, it is to be hoped, verify the safety of a range of products that are not yet on the market, but are in the process of going to market.

The issue of contingent liability is an important matter about which processors might be worried. This is one of the considerations being dealt with in the discussions. We are trying to put in place a scheme with three simple elements. These are first, the question of destroying those herds, either beef herds or pig herds, which have been contaminated. Second, dealing with the issue of secondary processing through the risk analysis procedure of the EU which will give immediate scientific clarification of a range of products which are regarded as being non-problematic, safe and marketable. This would be important in terms of third, ensuring we get to the position of restoring activity in processing plants, achieving the necessary throughput into the production line as pigs become available and ready for slaughter, and onto the shelves in a matter of days, very soon thereafter. These are the three areas of activity in which we are engaged.

I thank the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and colleagues and all the State employees. There has been a lot of talk in other contexts about the public service. I thank public servants for their expertise, for the clarity of the advice we are receiving and for their ability to implement those advices once the decisions have been taken by the requisite Ministers.

I have been engaged on this matter from last Saturday afternoon when the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, informed me about the situation on Friday evening coming back from Brussels. Since Saturday afternoon we have been on top of this situation to the greatest possible extent. I am also grateful to Members of the House who have shown reticence and responsibility in the interests of accurate information being made available to the public so that we can overcome this real challenge to important aspects of our food industry which employs many people, some of whom are personally known to me. I am anxious to restore that employment in those processing plants as soon as is possible and feasible. Those discussions are ongoing. I can assure the House that I regard this as a matter of the utmost urgency.