Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have to conclude because we have gone over time. I thank the witnesses for coming in today. It has been a very comprehensive discussion. Several very valid points have been made by committee members. The changes have financial implications. The ICBF has acknowledged that its communication was not the best. As regards weightings for the indexes, what exactly is attributed to each weighting, such as climate change and its impact on profitability, carbon, etc? The climate change part in the indexes must be re-examined. At the end of the day, the indexes should be based on profitability and the profitability of the progeny.

I appreciate the ICBF representatives appearing before the committee at short notice. They gave very comprehensive answers to the questions asked by all members. The large attendance shows the interest, the lobbying of politicians that has occurred and the questions we have been asked. People are extremely worried about this. There is clearly a lack of knowledge. A beef breeder who contacted me the other day said he had a bull he was using extensively, a 5-star animal that was well used within his breed. It was a top bull but it had gone down to a 2-star. He has stock bulls ready to sell, yearling bulls coming on and calves in gestation. They have all lost huge value commercially. They are turned from being pedigree into commercial cattle. That is significant.

They have what they will make in the factory. There are significant implications. The chairman of the ICBF has said he will take the content of our discussion back to the board. We appreciate that. The committee will meet in private session and discuss the ICBF and the indexes.

A point was made by Deputy Flaherty. It is right that, as Chairman, I acknowledge the tremendous work the ICBF has done since it was formed. It has co-ordinated the genetic improvement in both dairy and beef. The witnesses gave figures about the improvement on the beef side. The same is true on the dairy side. The ICBF's contribution to the improvement in Irish cattle breeding has to be recognised. As I said, there are issues with these indexes. Communication and getting explanations about weighting is vitally important.

We had 13 contributors, which is a high number for a meeting of the agriculture committee. This was a very important meeting. The fact that the witnesses came in at such short notice shows that they recognise there are issues. We appreciate that.

The meeting will resume at 5.30 p.m., when the committee will receive an update on the eradication of tuberculosis, another very serious subject.