Animal Diseases
Dail Éireann — 2026-03-19
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Martin Heydon (FG), Kildare South

First and foremost, the cost of the vaccine is a commercial decision. We have made sure there is enough availability, working with the private suppliers of the vaccines. I am reviewing all options open to me to be able to support the sector in what is a very new challenge for us at a very challenging time. This is a real and dynamic response to a real and dynamic situation that has been evolving. We did a remarkable job keeping it off the island. I commend both private veterinary practitioners working with farmers, regional veterinary offices, and the Department to ensure the level of vigilance that was in place. That allowed us to respond in real time. The key responsibility for me and my Department is to make sure that we continue to get market access. Deputy Kenny saw how quickly we moved on skins and hides for China and regained access there. We were able to get measures in place to deal with susceptible animals moving from member states. We worked with them under health certificates as well, including the movement of animals for breeding purposes from North to South. They were all really important measures.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-03-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:45+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-19