David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is not something that we can have an à la carteor relaxed approach to, we must reach the targets. I have not heard a sense of urgency in the Department's response to being challenged on the issue. There is almost an acceptance that it is a big challenge and it is a big ship that we must turn around. It is Mr. Gleeson's job to turn the ship around, however challenging it is.

Mr. Gleeson mentioned the number of dairy cows. I think the report said there was a 27% increase in the numbers. I expect that was due to the abolition of the milk quotas. At the time, the policy was to encourage an increase in production. That seems to have been a bad policy at that time. That decision was made only a few short years ago. Now, it is obvious we must go in the opposite direction. I imagine some farmers borrowed money to put infrastructure in place to take advantage of the abolition of the milk quotas. How challenging will it be for us to change tack? What, specifically, is the Department doing to reduce the national herd? Does the Department have a target for the reductions? How does the Department expect to achieve a reduction and in what timeframe?