Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute. I have a few questions. Reference was made to the limitations of the test. I would like the witnesses to provide some background to that for my benefit. I represent County Clare and I wonder if the witnesses have any indication of the level of infection in the county. That would be great. I engaged with a few farmers in County Clare and they told me about a few of their concerns. Even reading the opening statement, it is quite bleak in respect of the increases reported as well as the funding gap that is now going to be present from the EU.

With the levels of increases we have seen and the possibility of more projected increases, the question arises of animal welfare. If we are going to continue to see increases, when it comes to the removal of reactors, first of all, from a farmyard, how can we ensure regulations are going to be adhered to there? My other question concerns contamination. Mention was made of the risk posed by badgers and deer. This may be a stupid question, but should we have any other contamination concerns in this regard? I refer especially to removal methods. Is there any risk of contamination to members of the public, for example? I would like some clarity on this issue. My last question concerns what would happen if something goes wrong. Why would there ever be a situation where a batch of reactors may be left in a dairy complex? It is something that can occur, so why would it occur?