Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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On TB, there has been considerable talk about the money involved - up to €130 million, a big portion of which goes to compensation for the farmer. When there is a reactor and the price is agreed, the animal heads off to the factory, which will pay a couple of hundred euro for that animal whereas the Exchequer pays the balance of the agreed funding. Cattle prices are high. There is expected to be an increase in the number of reactors. The factory is getting a lot of low-cost cattle for a couple of hundred euro. That same animal would have cost €1,500 and they are able to pick it up for €400. We, the Exchequer, are paying the balance. Is the Minister engaging with the factories to put pressure on them to ensure they pay a bigger portion to the farmer and, in that way, save the Exchequer money?