Mr. Tomás Bourke:

The target is certainly ambitious. It is achievable if farmers' support for the programme is maintained, but it will require significant buy-in from those who are putting significant resources and finances into the programme. That is why the proposals from the forum have been so disappointing for farmers, because they want to achieve eradication of this disease more than anyone. It is disappointing that no effort has been made to bring them on this journey and implement the necessary measures to prevent outbreaks, which would require significant proactive investment in wildlife work, and deal at source with the problems on farms when first identified. It is clear from the breakdown map of the country over the past ten or 15 years that outbreaks primarily occur in the same areas, as the Chairman will be well aware from his part of the country. The Department's claim, therefore, that animal movement contributes significantly to the disease does not stack up based on the figures. An environmental issue remains in those areas. If the Department's claim were true, we would have significant problems in the fattening counties, but that is not the case. Instead, we are finding TB in the Burren in Clare, a suckler area from which weanlings are sold, in Wicklow and in other areas with similar demographics. The 2030 goal is achievable if the Department is prepared to invest in putting the necessary structures in place and support farmers on that journey.