No new control measures on foot-and-mouth need to be established, the Government's expert committee on the disease has recommended.
The committee, which met yesterday after the first confirmed case of the disease in the State was confirmed, said the measures already in place were reviewed and "they are still appropriate".
Farmers must monitor their livestock for suspect signs, as this is "crucial to the early identification and control of the disease. This applies especially along the east coast, given the possibility of airborne spread from Britain."
But the committee, chaired by Prof Michael Monaghan, dean of UCD's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, "expressed concerns about reports of variable compliance with disinfection measures in the farming community".
The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Walsh, said sporting, cultural and other organisations should consider postponing scheduled events in the light of yesterday's developments.
Meetings or events involving people in the highest risk groups should not take place "unless it is critical that they do so".
Events have been classified into categories with, firstly, low risk of spreading of foot-and-mouth, and after that those which present greater risk.
The first category of events includes, indoor meetings, conferences, cinema, theatre, weddings, indoor sporting events - gatherings at locations with "no access to agricultural land or susceptible livestock".
In the second category - which includes games - venues should not be used if susceptible animals have accessed this land since February 1st. If they have not, these venues should be used only if organisers provide disease control notices and disinfection facilities.
A third category involves horse racing, show-jumping, greyhound racing and livestock shows. There are continued restrictions on holding these events.
People should not access agricultural land. Public areas, such as parks, which do not have access for susceptible species, may be opened. The committee continues to discourage unnecessary travel to the UK and other countries with confirmed cases.