Harney insists Ireland is prepared for bird flu outbreak

The Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney has insisted that Ireland is well prepared to deal with a possible bird flu outbreak.

Yesterday, tests confirmed that the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus has now arrived in Scotland after being detected in several other EU countries earlier this year.

A number of swans found dead in recent days on both sides of the Irish border are also being tested to see if they may have been infected by the illness.

Speaking in Dublin today, Ms Harney said she was confident about Ireland's ability to cope with an outbreak.

"We are as prepared as anybody could possibly be," she said, "but obviously, we can't be complacent.

"We have to be vigilant and I believe we have the capacity and the capability and the expertise and the finance in place to roll out initiatives very quickly in the event of any of the birds here being positively tested," she said.

Meanwhile, speaking in Wicklow this morning, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said a bird flu outbreak could have an adverse effect on the Irish economy and it may be necessary to create isolation zones like those in place for the foot-and-mouth crisis in 2001.