Mr. Bill Callanan:

Let me give the members a warning on that. The process of approval is prompt in that we are very open. We are mindful, however, that some initiatives proposed for grant aid are designed to address inadequacies of a basic nature that should be addressed elsewhere. A particular example concerns the internal agitation of slurry. There have been a number of proposals made recommending the supporting of machinery that will assist, but the Department's stance has been that one should cure the basic problem, which is that one should not have an internal agitation point. It needs to be externalised. With regard to many of the proposals that are made, we are amenable to what can be supported but mindful that some recommendations can address the symptom rather than the problem in the first instance.

There has been a fantastic upswing in the use of online services by farmers, particularly the more intensive and younger farmers. I have responsibility for nitrates. We have moved to a fully online application process. Last year, before it became fully online, 85% were using the online system. Another example is that there are now over 1 million calves registered online. This is half the total calf number registered online so farmers are certainly involved with the online system, although perhaps not as much as we would like regarding the safety aspect.

I take on board the comments on the number of accident-free days of the farm. I have seen businesses identify the number. Glanbia publicised heavily the fact that there were only two minor accidents in its whole building, a plant worth €165 million. We need to reflect this on farms.

Certain tractors have immobilisers. I know of plant used in the construction industry that requires the use of grips. One must remember there is not just one set of controls in a tractor so it might be difficult to design a system that requires a constant action. Certainly, however, we take on board what is proposed and will consider it.

The Chairman asked about the mandatory period. Teagasc will answer that question during its session here. My understanding is that anybody acquiring a green certificate must do a mandatory farm safety element. This is not a prerequisite for obtaining a farm safety grant, if that is what the Senator is suggesting.

The requirement to have had that part of training in advance is not currently in place. If the Chairman's suggestion is that farmers who avail of grants might be required to have that training in advance, the answer is that they are not currently required to do so.