Mr. Michael Cronin:

We have had many important meetings in recent times. Following these meetings, at the request of the forum, I wrote to the Minister. I explained the forum had been going through a process of getting agreement on additional measures that needed to be added to the TB programme. I explained there were several areas where agreement could be reached to enhance the programme, but there were also several other areas where there were considerable gaps between stakeholder views on the future direction required of the programme. In my letter to the Minister, I expressed the opinion that given the urgent need for change to the TB programme, I did not believe agreement on additional measures would be reached by the TB forum alone in the time required to address the continuing unprecedented levels of disease. Since then, the Minister has held a number of high-level meetings with the farming organisations and Department officials. I understand that deliberations on these meetings are expected to be announced shortly. I thank the Chair.