Mr. Brian Higginson:

All farm fatalities are investigated fully. We are acutely aware of the sensitive nature of such incidents because primarily it is the farmer or a family member who has died. We do a full investigation. If machinery is involved then an examination is carried out on the state of the machinery. A PSV inspector from An Garda Síochána may also examine the machinery to ascertain whether issues arose that had a bearing on its effectiveness. If necessary, machinery is tested, but in many cases accidents may involve machines in a static position - for example, the use of a power take-off for a slurry spreader when a farmer has exited the machine and the engine is still running. In such cases the accident is not due to an inherent fault in the machine. Many accidents are due to work practices and behaviour, which is a much bigger issue of concern to the authority. We are working with the broader farming community to bring about changes in behaviour.