Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the two gentlemen here today to discuss what has been a fairly contentious issue in recent weeks. I wish to follow on from the point made by Deputies Ó Cuív and Penrose on the consultation. The witnesses indicated in their presentation that they have travelled throughout the country informing people at meetings of farm organisations. They might have attended every one of them. It appears that farmers were more frustrated leaving the meetings than they were before the meetings. The witnesses gave us very little explanation for that today. It does seem strange that farmers were bemused and frustrated leaving the meeting and that they were not aware of how the process would work. Both previous speakers mentioned the consultation process. When were the witnesses asked to give their opinion on how the system would work, and were they brought along the entire way? When were they given the final document before it was approved?

The new scheme involves a lot more work for the federation. Do the witnesses believe they will be capable of handling the extra work? They have been successfully involved in the dairy sector for a number of years. A large number of animals will require to be tested in the future. Are they up for the game, as such? Will they be able for the challenge? The figure has risen from 15% previously. I would like to know how the figure was arrived at and what the reason is for the big increase. In terms of cost, who will pay for it? How will the cost be passed on? I wish to hear how the process will work.

There has been much talk about AI. From a practical point of view it is always more difficult to use AI with sucklers than using a bull because it is not as easy to identify when they are ready for that procedure. How will the system work? How will it be practical? Deputy Ó Cuív mentioned smaller suckler farmers might have alternative jobs, for example, and there is only a specific window of opportunity when AI will work. First, how will it work? In the event that it does work, once calves from an AI sire are born, will they all be five-star? Are there enough four-star and five-star bulls in the country to operate the scheme? That is a big question.

Reference was made in the presentation to the collection of data on sucklers from 2008. Is that correct?