Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This is a subject that is a little raw for me at the moment. In terms of plant, I am using this example to make a general plea and I ask the Chairman to allow me some scope in that regard. The usage of quads on farms is becoming very dangerous. The number of people killed or paralysed per annum is far too high. I spoke to a health and safety specialist who made the valid point that if there was a device on a building site that did as much damage as quads every year, it would be banned. There was a tragedy in my own area in the past week involving good friends of mine who lost their son. The number of accidents on these machines is too high. I am not saying quads should be banned but the Department, with the Department of Finance, should be able to do something to improve safety. The only way to improve safety is to get rid of them. There are much safer vehicles available. The Gator buggies are much safer. They are slower, wider and they do not turn over to the same extent. For a period of time the VAT and VRT on those vehicles should be reduced to zero to give the farming sector the opportunity to rid farms of quads. Too many people are killed or paralysed every year.

The committee should take up this matter. We all give out about overbearing Government agencies, but it is not overbearing when one has to visit a farm after a tragedy.