Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Gleeson for the presentation. I will focus on expenditure on the bovine TB eradication programme. My understanding is that between 2021 and 2030, it is expected the programme will cost around €1 billion in real terms, not totally from the Department but between the contribution from farmers and the Department. This is a scheme that is in place for more than 60 years at this stage. Why are we not able to make real progress on it? What is the plan over the next five years to try to make further progress? A substantial sum is being spent each year and we are still not getting anywhere near total eradication of the problem.