Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Beechinor and Dr. Murphy for providing a very interesting insight into the work of the HPRA. Some of my questions have been covered already. The Department told us that it had engaged extensively with stakeholders over the past two years, with in excess of 12 meetings on the regulations with various regulatory bodies, including the HPRA and the Veterinary Council of Ireland, VCI. I assume that covers the meetings referred to earlier in response to Deputy Carthy. The Department specifically referenced bilateral meetings with its Northern Ireland and UK counterparts. Have the witnesses had any discussions with their UK counterparts? I appreciate that the witnesses are keen to delineate their role in this and to stress that their concern is solely to look after the product and not the sale or distribution of same but have they had any discussions with their UK counterparts? Have they conducted any risk assessment of the likely outcome of the changes to how products are sold here? The anti-parasitic resistance challenge has been a real eye-opener. It is great to get an insight into that and to get that knowledge today. It is fair to say that it demonstrates a real tug of war between nature and science. I ask for the witnesses' personal view on what is at issue here. Has there been a lack of investment by companies? Do companies not see an opportunity for business here? Why are new products not coming on stream as we would wish? Dr. Beechinor mentioned a number of household names in his opening statement, well-known brands that suddenly lost their efficacy in a matter of five to nine years. I am interested to hear if there is a lack of research and development, a lack of investment or if it purely comes down to capacity issues.