Eileen Lynch (Fine Gael)
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I thank all the witnesses for being with us today and for their comprehensive statements. As my colleagues said, this is an incredibly important issue and affects every farm family and every farm, whether they have been directly affected or just from the perspective of the importance of safety on the farm. It was mentioned - this is not a phrase that should be associated with this - that it does happen to some people and not to others.

I have a few questions. More generally, what do the witnesses believe is the most critical challenge facing farm safety now? How would we look at this from a legislative or national policy perspective? In terms of insurance, I note it was said that 41% of claims relate to vehicles. I am assuming this is the most common claim, but if it is not, the witnesses can clarify. Has a change been seen in terms of the most pertinent area of claims over the years? Has a change in the pattern been seen? Are people learning from accidents and are behaviour patterns changing in this way? I note it was said that assessments were carried out, but are there reduced premiums for farmers or farms where they have had safety training or have specific safety measures in place? Is this something that could be looked at?

Regarding farm vehicle accidents, if a vehicle is seized after an accident, is there a statistic on how many of those vehicles seized after an accident failed their suitability tests? To all three organisations, I think a job of work is to be done in terms of liaising with the local authorities, joint policing committees, etc. How would the witnesses see this working? Are any initiatives being worked on in this regard?