Byrne: Britain is now the leper of Europe

Hugh Byrne, the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine, has launched a scathing attack on the British Government for its handling of the foot and mouth crisis.

Mr Byrne says that Britain is now the leper of Europe and should be treated accordingly with the introduction of sanctions against them until proper measure are put in place.

Minister Byrne said that the whole base of rural Ireland was under threat because of the irresponsibility of the British government.

With the number of confirmed cases across the UK now standing at 137, Byrne wants the EU to act now.