Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise I missed most of Professor Boyle’s presentation as I had to attend a vote.

Will he comment on the financial trends he produced to the committee? Pensions seem to be a large part of this, accounting for €43 million. Where does he see that figure going and how much will it be? Does he feel, like many organisations do, that pensions will become a burden and affect Teagasc’s capacity to expand its service? It is an issue for the State. Where does Professor Boyle feel that pension issue will come into play?

He replied regarding what happened at the Greenfield farm, County Kilkenny, during the severe weather events. Media reports stated there were three Teagasc personnel, members of the Phelan family and an Irish Farmers’ Journalstaff member to help on that occasion. There was a significant labour issue. How does having two members of staff overseeing 370 cows fit into a farming model when there is a crisis? Few farmers could call on such expertise of that labour if they were in that crisis. The lack of labour is a significant issue for the agricultural community. How does this tie in with what happened in Greenfield and the recommendations about changes to animal housing and so forth?