Disease unit to be set up
Minister Mary Coughlan confirmed that Biosecurity Ireland is being set up, in line with a commitment made in the programme for government.
Minister Coughlan said Biosecurity Ireland will enable her Department to more effectively co-ordinate existing expertise.
The remit of the division will be to ensure the exclusion, eradication or effective management of risks posed by diseases and pests to the economy, the environment and to human and animal health.
Her comments were made in written replies to Dáil questions by Michael Creed, TD, (FG) and Dr Mary Upton, TD, (Labour).
