The Minister of State at the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources Mr Hugh Byrne has repeated his criticism of the British government’s handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis today.
Speaking on Sky Newshe described Britain's handling of the outbreak as a "scandal".
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Mr Hugh Byrne
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Nine new British cases of foot and mouth disease have been confirmed today bringing the total to 173. Yesterday saw the biggest single increase in a day since the outbreak began with the number rising to 164 from 139.
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Despite this the British Minister for Agriculture, Mr Nick Brown insisted he was "absolutely certain" the spread of foot-and-mouth was "under control".
Mr Byrne’s comments on Britain’s action over foot-and-mouth were widely covered by British media over the weekend.
On Friday he called on European authorities to place stringent sanctions on Britain beyond banning the importation of British meat and dairy products.
In a statement he said: "I am convinced that Britain is now the leper of Europe and should be treated accordingly until such time as their actions confirm that they are acting responsibly."
In Dublin, Temple Bar Properties is to meet today with stall-holders from the weekly food market in Meeting House Square to discuss the market's closure due to the foot-and-mouth alert.
Stallholders are angry at the TBP's decision to cancel the market particularly as the market in Moore Street and Dublin Corporation's Fruit and Vegetable Market remain open.