Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I thank all the witnesses for coming in. I thank them for the briefing and compliment them on the fantastic work being done. In fairness to them, they are trying to save lives. Again, we are all working in this direction. Unfortunately, we have all seen farm accidents. It is something we never want to see, or any accident for that matter, but again, unfortunately, we all know there will be accidents. The main thing is to try to prevent them and keep people alert. Behavioural change was mentioned. We all know this is not easy, and there is no point saying it is. We must, though, put more emphasis on behavioural change. We must see how we can - we might get some ideas from the witnesses - get behavioural change instilled into people. I am talking especially about middle-aged and older farmers. We are well aware many in farming are now in their 40s, 50s and 60s.

Farm Safety Week was mentioned too. We all know funding is involved in all these campaigns. To remind farmers and keep people alert, could doing this twice a year be looked at? Could it be done early in the year, perhaps, and then again when we come to the months of October and November, just to make people aware of safety when we are moving into the winter and they are dealing with cattle in sheds, etc.? Perhaps this could be something that could be looked at. In rural schools, as well, perhaps visits could be done once a year to students in transition year, many of whom we know will be coming from farming backgrounds. Maybe lessons could be taught to those young children who might then go home and talk to their parents and whatever.

My final point concerns signage around farms. During Farm Safety Week, maybe farmers could be encouraged to put up signage to keep reminding people that the main issue is behaviour. We all know this, but, as I said, it would be good if it was possible to remind people to stay alert and focused. It is not possible to prevent all accidents, but it is possible to try to keep people reminded and alert. I again thank the witnesses for the fantastic work they are doing.