Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for having to leave before the presentation to go to the Chamber. I welcome Mr. Treacy, Mr. Baker and the others here. There is nobody in the country who was not heartbroken last week hearing of a beautiful young boy being killed in a farm accident. Therefore, there is no way I would not compliment the officials here and those who work with them on their efforts in striving to reduce accidents, be they on our farms or on our roads. However, we must have balance and common sense.

When I see what was in this proposal initially regarding an annual tractor check, I see it as making no sense. That would have put a serious financial burden on farmers who are already struggling. We appreciate that farmers themselves will ensure their tractors are safe, with cabs, brakes and lights if being used at night. However, being practical, the witnesses know that some farmers have tractors without lights, but these might never need a light because they never go on a road or leave the farm. It might only be used inside the yard. If such tractors had to go for an annual or even a five-year test, it would break the farmer trying to get it right for the road. Common sense must apply and the same must apply with regard to testing trailers.

I am 100% in favour of ensuring that a person engaged in agricultural contracting or any type of hire for reward would be 100% compliant with every safety regulation, because that person is on the road and working on a commercial basis. However, we cannot compare that person to a man operating inside his own place and yard. We do not want the rules for one imposed on the other.