County councils across the State have been asked by their umbrella body to cancel all meetings due to be held next week as part of the effort to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth.
Cllr Enda Nolan, chair of the General Council of County Councils, said: "Many councillors come from rural communities. They are only too well aware of the dangers of foot-and-mouth and local authorities have to be seen to be making their contribution to help stop a disease which could devastate rural Ireland."