Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach and Deputy Aird for his indulgence and for allowing me to speak. I do not have any questions. This is something I am very passionate about.

I brought forward a Bill in the previous Seanad that encompasses an awful lot of the stuff the witnesses want and need. It beggars belief, day in and day out, to hear of the ignorance of people who traipse around with their dogs in the countryside like they have a free pass and allow their dogs to roam and attack sheep, whether by mouth or by running. The bad manners of people in society are appalling. The support here is absolutely necessary. I hope this committee can bring the Department's officials before it because they know what the issues are. They have been told what they are. Many Members in this room, including me, have raised the issues and what needs to be done over and over. This is a serious issue. Thousands of euro have been lost. The mental health of farmers and their families has been affected.

People cannot go to bed at night without worrying about their sheep and livestock. It is about time the Minister, the Department and the officials started listening to farmers, the committees and the farming organisations and acted on it.