Mr. Colm Forde:

I can only assure the Deputy that we are working as hard as we can with our stakeholders. We are extremely empathetic when it comes to their situation and very aware of their position in respect of how this affects their livelihoods. We have a comprehensive action plan with 37 actions where we are trying to address those concerns. The core objective is to protect the efficacy of these products because they underpin the sustainability of our livestock sector. If antiparasitics do not work, this is a significant problem for us. We need to retain a substantive role for all people who currently supply antiparasitics.

The Deputy mentioned a parliamentary question from July 2020.

I think the answers have been relatively consistent but I am happy to address any follow-up queries. We have said to our stakeholders all along that we do not claim to have all the answers. We are more than happy to accept every single proposal, study them all in detail, work through them with our stakeholders and see what will work. We have been very open about that from the outset. We welcome every opportunity to work with Mr. Terrence O'Shea or Mr. Quinn from Crossmolina. We want to work with these people to find solutions. We will not be found wanting in that respect. However, whatever we come up with must comply with the EU regulation. Our challenge is to act within those legal parameters.