Mr. Michael Sheahan:

I am not trying to say that when someone's farm is locked up because of TB, it is hassle free. Obviously, it is not and is the last thing anyone wants to see happen.

At certain times of the year, in particular, to put it mildly, it makes life very awkward for those involved in a sector that is not the most profitable in the world. The Teagasc figures indicate that suckler cow or beef farming is not a profitable business in which to be involved in the first place. Because of the added burden of having their farms locked up, we want to get rid of TB as quickly as possible, which is why we are committed to working with everyone to have it done by, or even before, 2030 in certain parts of the country. I will not try to pretend that there is no hardship involved. There is and the income supplement and the hardship grant have been designed to help to alleviate some of the associated difficulties.