Government’s handling of issue a ‘disaster’

THE Government’s handling of the toxic pork issue caused an “unmitigated disaster”, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny told the Dáil.

He said Taoiseach Brian Cowen had “pressed the crisis button” over the weekend and decided on a total recall of pork products without any plan on what to do next.

The delay of several days in agreeing a compensation package for pork producers was inexcusable as it had threatened livelihoods, with 6,000 workers placed on protective notice.