Mr. T.J. Maher:

In regard to the wildlife management programme, the Deputy's point is valid. I refer to departmental eradication programme. Like elements of ear to the ground, clearly this programme is seen to be of benefit to the badger population as well. That is the reality. A sick badger is kicked out. We are trying to prevent sick badgers. The problem is that it is not totally effective. The reality is that we have sick badgers infecting animals. It is in our interest to continue to work with everybody here. We are in a difficult situation with the way urban society is moving. We have no choice but to encourage the Department to do its best and to work with farmers. The key is to work with farmers to identify these sets. One of the critical problems is that sets are not being identified.

On the question of compensation and evaluation, we made this point and declared our demand for €110 for dairy cows and €55 for suckler cows and that every animal is eligible. The key point is, and this is a point we have made continuously at the forum, that this is not just about income loss. This is just about the stress this places on the entire family. Family labour is never accounted for in all of these points. The Deputy is correct on those two points. They are our proposals to attempt to address that.