There appeared to be a somewhat lax attitude to disinfectant procedures at Border checkpoints, Mr Seymour Crawford (FG, Cavan-Monaghan) claim ed. He had raised the threatened outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Cookstown with the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh.

Mr Crawford said he had visited the Border in recent days and there did not seem to be the same enthusiasm as there was a number of days ago.

"Is the Minister aware that vehicles are being waved through the main checkpoints in Co Louth, near where the outbreak occurred, and is he satisfied that sufficient care is being taken?"

Mr Walsh said he held a daily meeting with a strategy group. He had confirmed there had been no relaxation in controls along the Border and in Louth.

"A considerable number of vehicles entering the Republic have been turned back because they were carrying sandwiches, meat or dairy products which should not be coming into this jurisdiction."