Mr. Sean Coughlan:

I would like to deal with the communication issue and to set the record straight on a couple of things. Since the scheme was launched, I have met the Irish Charolais Cattle Society on two occasions. I went to a meeting in Tullamore and also met the society in its offices in the Irish Farm Centre. We operate a gene Ireland programme with all of the pedigree breed societies. There are approximately ten different groups that meet, on average, about three times a year. That is about 30 meetings a year across those groups to communicate with the breed societies. We met the breed societies last December and on 2 February, when we agreed that we would continue a process of meeting once a quarter with the breed societies to discuss various issues. The next of those meetings is scheduled for 30 May. I take calls regularly from all members of various breed societies. There is ongoing communication with the breed societies. I would argue the point that there is no communication between the ICBF and the breed societies. That is simply not correct.