Cabinet meets in Kerry to highlight end of controls

The Cabinet will meet in Killarney today in an effort to convey the message that the State is open again to tourists following the relaxation of foot-and-mouth controls.

The meeting, in Muckross House, outside the town, will begin at 9.30 a.m. and last for over three hours. The Taoiseach will then meet a number of local delegations. The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, suggested the location. He wanted to follow the example set by the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, who brought the Cabinet to Co Louth recently.

"This is to show people, nationally and internationally, that Killarney is open for business," said a Government spokesman. However, he insisted there would be no special announcements. It will "be an ordinary meeting of the Cabinet. There is nothing like the health strategy presentation around."

So far, the Government estimates that the tourism industry has lost £500 million as a result of foot-and-mouth. "There is no way of knowing the final sum until the results come in next year," said the spokesman.