Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be very quick. I thank the witnesses for their presentations and answers so far. I congratulate Professor Boyle and Dr. O'Dwyer on their involvement in the Food Works programme, which is in its third year. It is a fantastic programme for brilliant young entrepreneurs who want to be innovative and come up with international businesses that can trade food. Teagasc has been involved with it for three years.

I want to build on the other questions so excuse me if I am a bit rough and just going in at the edges. There was a quite startling article in the Daily Telegrapha few weeks ago about robotics, automation, planning and processing which suggested that robotics will replace 35% of jobs, especially those that are repetitive. Taking dairy farming as an example, milking will become automated. How are we going on that and how are we looking at it, particularly with regard to dairy farming? Even doing accounts may become automated.

I worry about the staff shortages in Teagasc. Enrolments are up 154%. Since 2000 the number of staff at Teagasc has fallen by 42%. How can Teagasc strategise and prepare for the future and the challenges that are ahead of it if we do not lift the embargo on recruitment? The value of Kinsealy must be huge; that might help to hire a few new staff that are badly needed, because there has been a brain drain at Teagasc and it needs to get in some brilliant people to help it look to the future.

This is a strange question - it is coming out of left field - but I know Teagasc has a test going in Carlow on GMOs. Peru, I am glad to see, has provided in law to keep GMOs out. Ireland is a small island. We have to dare to be different. The Origin Green programme is wonderful. Climate change is upon us. Though I will not be here for the witnesses' answers, I will be looking back on them later. Has Teagasc ever undertaken a proper scientific test on water quality and fluoride? We are the only country left in Europe that fluoridates its water. I know most farming people have wells, but many farms do not. As we are the only country left in Europe that has fluoride in its water, what effects does that have on our agriculture? Are we doing tests on our food? What are the levels of fluoride in our cheese, milk and other dairy products?

How closely does Teagasc work with the EPA? I am reluctant to pick names but I will pick one that I am close to, the aluminium plant in Askeaton. Are emissions and air quality being monitored? How closely do Teagasc scientists work with the EPA?

I could go on but I think that is enough from Senator O'Brien for today.