Minister and FF councillor clash over foot and mouth

A row has erupted in Co Donegal between a government minister and a prominent local politician over the foot and mouth crisis.

Donegal-based Minister of State Mary Coughlan has called for two major social events in the seaside resort of Bundoran to be postponed.

She said such vigilance was still necessary while the foot and mouth threat exists.

Thousands of visitors are expected in the coastal town this weekend and St Patrick's weekend for musical festivals.

However, Donegal county councillor and local businessman Sean McEniff has rejected the call, saying it would be impossible to turn people away and that bands would still have to be paid if the events were cancelled at this point.

He said that pubs and clubs were allowed to remain open, so there was no reason why the same rule should not apply to hotels.