Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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No. I want to touch on what the Chairman spoke about. In fairness, the animal identification and movement, AIM, system for cattle is probably the best in the world.

We register 2.5 million calves a year, give or take. In fairness, it is clinical. No one could ever fault it. As the Cathaoirleach said, if you do not have it done within the 21 days, you are in trouble. You get the letter. The Department is well on top of it. In comparison with that, why do we have seven different crowds dealing with horses? The owner of the stallion could get the book. This is what is going on and the Department is allowing it. Why is the establishment of one proper operator not been looked at? The Department has to do DNA testing and so this cannot be done in three or four days as it is with calves. That is fair enough. I am talking about one month. There are still 200 of the 2023 books knocking around and more if the truth was known. On the 2024 books, there are sales coming up, people are waiting on horses and there is judging or whatever else has to be done. People have their tongues out for them. This week, I was made aware of a case that has been going on for five years. If that was a farm with cattle, the Department would have it shut down. Why is it not tightened up? Why is the will not there to establish the same kind of professional system that exists for cattle?