Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Given the restrictions in the time available I propose to allow each member a minute to question the Minister again and he can respond directly. Members can seek clarification or ask fresh questions as they wish. I will make two points before calling members.

The Minister mentioned Teagasc and the value of the progeny coming from the dairy herd. He might give a bit of direction to Teagasc because nearly all its research farms at the moment are devoted to cross-breeds. When the committee visited a Teagasc centre last January 12 months I nearly got devoured for suggesting that its breeding policy was not correct and it has not been altered since. Teagasc must focus on what we want to see coming from our dairy herd in the future. The economic breeding index, EBI, system does not take any account of the carcase value of the culled cow leaving the dairy herd or the value of the calf leaving the dairy herd. The EBI is very much biased in favour of the cross-breed, with all the focus on kilos per hectare and no emphasis on the beef value that is coming out of the dairy herd as well. A bit of direction to Teagasc in that regard would not go astray.

I seek clarification on another point before I open the discussion to members. Will the Minister specifically indicate whether TAMS will be rolled over on 31 December? Will it be open for applications or will a new scheme be in place on 1 January? We are getting a lot of inquiries at the moment from people with investment decisions to make who are interested in finding out how TAMS will be dealt with. That is hugely important for the investment that is needed out there. I ask the Minister to provide clarification on those points. I will open the discussion to the floor.