Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair and guests. I am old enough to have worked in a number of different sectors. I remember when the HSA came on board it was not always seen as a welcome introduction into the workplace. It does important work, however. The figures speak for themselves, in terms of improvement across the economy in the protection of workers.

Some of my colleagues have touched on points I wish to raise. I would like to go back to agriculture. We saw some horrific fatalities in the past five or ten years, where farmers were overcome with methane and slurry tank gas. As the witnesses know, even holding water ponds can attract gas. Power take-off, PTO, shafts and shells have certainly improved, but there is still a problem when they are taken off for maintenance, in particular during harvesting season. The shells get broken because a mass of vegetation is caught in them and is then pulled off.

I refer to harvesting season. I am close to the farm sector and do not want to attack it, but during harvesting I see 16-year-olds driving 150 hp tractors with ten tonnes of silage behind them. They are racing to try to get over and back. I know the HSA is being vigilant, but farmers are under pressure and do not have manpower. They end up bringing in their sons and nephews around harvest time, in particular when they are slow getting contractors. I ask the HSA to speak to farmers about these issues, in particular lights and brakes on tractors and trailers. These are major issues. When those vehicles go out of control, the momentum can do untold damage. The witnesses stated farm visits are taking place, but what is the HSA doing in terms of community engagement with farmers, such as inviting IFA members to meetings and giving presentations on these issues?