How are the authorities to find all the hives in what they assume to be the
affected area.  Are beekeepers registered in Ireland?  I bet that at this
moment apiaries are being split up and hives disperse to odd corners or out of
the danger area.  The Irish authorities are choosing the most effective way of
infesting the whole island as rapidly as possible.  Maybe this is their
objective.  It simplifies matters.
 
Chris Slade