Mr. Eoin Ryan:

To be clear, it is entirely possible for any mammal to get infected with TB and to infect another mammal. The question is not whether any deer in the country ever got TB and passed it to a bovine. It is whether it happens in such a significant way that it is a factor for people to be concerned about. It is impossible to say that it has never happened that a deer has not infected a bovine. There is certainly evidence in Wicklow that the same strains are affecting cattle, badgers and deer. A question arises as to whether all three are infecting one another. Outside Wicklow, we have the data that I have explained. We have only found three positives out of the 74 wild deer that were shot and submitted to us. If farmers in a local area like Killoscully or so on are concerned, we are happy to test the deer in question.

It is entirely possible that there may be a role being played. I am certainly not disputing that, but we want to base our control policies on the risks. Mr. Sheahan mentioned the various risks and Deputy Cahill has himself addressed the point that it is a difficult message to hear that a herd that has had a TB breakdown is at higher risk for several years afterwards. Just because that message is difficult, though, does not mean it is wrong to address it and say what the research bears out. It is awkward and difficult, but it is still the case.

It is not all bad news. The risk of herds breaking down has reduced from previous years. In 1998, a herd had a 46% chance of going down within three years. From 2012, it only had a 30% chance of going down in the next three years. According to our preliminary data from 2015, that has slightly decreased again, although our analysis has not finished. The risk can decrease, but we have to be driven by the findings. I do not dispute at all that deer can infect cattle, but I do dispute that there is evidence that it plays a significant role outside Wicklow. I am happy to look at the evidence. As we say repeatedly, if farmers have concerns, we are happy to test those deer for free and will support local meetings on the subject. That would not be a problem.