Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I had some technical issues here between the two meetings so I missed the start. If I am repeating any point perhaps the Chairman will inform me that a topic was already dealt with.

I heard Deputy Fitzmaurice's contribution, including his question on a person having an off-farm job that might affect hardship payments. I did not hear an answer on that and I would like to hear such an answer. I believe it is very unfair and I want to know what the Department's position on it is. What drives the Department's strategy there?

The EU animal health regulations that will come in during April will impose pre-movement testing on herds that have not been tested in a previous six-month period. What was Ireland's position on the formation of that EU law? How does the Department see a draconian rule such as this helping the situation we have? We are trying to minimise the cost to the maximum effect. With blanket testing and including the lowest risk herds, if an historically clear herd is just going to be tested for the sake of testing or because one wants to sell some cattle, this will be an additional cost. I believe it is certainly not going to improve our chances of eradicating the disease. Based on Mr. Ryan's comments on the expansion of the dairy herd and the increase in herd size, which I would question but he did say it, there is a total contradiction in bringing in pre-movement tests from smaller suckler herds that may have their herd test in January or February if they want to sell off their weanling calves in October or November. That is more than a six-month gap so they are going to have to test a second time, with an additional cost. These are low-risk herds. It is nonsensical. Where were the Department and Ireland's veterinary representatives in Brussels on the formation of that new EU law that is coming in next month?