Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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There was an issue last year when the HSA’s board expressed concerns about its ability to fulfil its mandate due to limited resources. This year has been horrific for farm deaths in particular, as well as workplace fatalities. Farm safety in particular seems to have taken a backward step this past year.

I cannot understand why, in the context of the discussion this committee had with the Department last year and what has happened this year, there would be a cut in the budget and it would not have the ability to spend that money.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has not commenced its mandate with glory, given that one of its first missions was to write to the IFA in respect of the beef disputes and that it did not do anything in particular about those processing the beef and the prices they were paying the producers. I made this comment in the Dáil last year. When people stand up for producer rights the commission gets involved, and it seems to do nothing about the actual barons in the processing industry. That is just a comment. I am particularly concerned about the HSA.