Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Chairman said, this is a complex issue. Ms Sheridan has said it will be another two years before this is finalised and a further three years before it is implemented. Do the delegates believe this is too long? If the regulation is brought back here in five years, there will be a new Government in office, as well as a new Seanad. The delegates will, in all likelihood, be dealing with totally different people.

Mr. Loftus dealt with the issue of costs and said the milk industry gave €5.2 million. The cattle industry gave €5 per head, while the poultry industry gave 1 cent per head of small poultry. In other words, farmers are paying for this. On the other hand, micro-businesses or SMEs employing fewer than ten people with a turnover of less than €2 million do not have to pay. Who is paying their costs? Are these costs being met by farmers, too?

Had the regulations already been in place, what difference would they have made to plant controls, particularly in the context of Ash dieback? Will Mr. Coleman outline whether they would have made any difference in that regard.

Ms Sheridan has said the rules relating to animal health and welfare, when agreed, will include rules relating to the residue from veterinary medicines. What changes will we have to make in Ireland in that regard? Do the 27 countries of the European Union all have different rules on residues from veterinary medicines? It was stated the regulations would apply common rules to all animals and goods of animal and plant origin entering and leaving the European Union. What changes will be required in the context of live exports?