Mr. Barry Lynch:

We are talking about three entities here, namely, the Department, Teagasc and ICBF. We look at everything that is being done by the Department. What it does is part of e-government so we do not say that its provision of software is something it should not be doing. That is what e-government is all about; it is a requirement and is driven by legislation. A farmer must keep a bovine herd register, register the birth of a calf and note the movements of animals. That is required under law and if the State decides it will do this through software, that makes sense. It is logical and is what e-government is all about. There is no reason that everything the State requires its citizens to do under legislation cannot be done through software systems rather than paperwork.

The issue becomes difficult for us when one looks at the non-legislative requirements of farmers in managing herds or their business, whether this concerns stock, financial management or grass management. There is no legislation requiring anybody to do any of this and no legislation requiring any departmental or State funding to be provided in this regard. It is only at that level that competition exists, in the commercial sphere. I do not know if that specifically addresses the Deputy's question.