Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter. As we move into the busiest season in the agricultural calendar, we hope the weather will improve to allow harvesting. There is always concern about farm safety. Some farms stakeholders, the Agri Aware group and others, announced an initiative on education and safety on farms this week. Advertisements have just begun and we need a co-ordinated initiative. It is vitally important that everyone involved, directly or indirectly, in the agriculture industry raises the issue of farm safety. Over the past number of years, the farm has been an area of great risk and hidden danger.

Historically, people were involved in farming from a young age. Children of the family, those who were visiting and those who have been farming since childhood take chances on farm safety. We need to be clear that danger is highlighted. With livestock and machinery on farms, even with the greatest prevention there is always liability. It is important that this happens at primary and secondary schools because children love to get onto farms. Practices on farms of 25 and 30 years ago involved major risk and have since been discontinued. We need to be mindful of danger and to raise awareness at every level. I ask the Minister and the Government to ensure there is an adequate budget for farm safety campaigns over coming weeks.

Statistics on workplace deaths show that 2011 was a serious year. With the best will in the world, the trend seems to be going backwards. In discussion with the occupational health aspects of agriculture, the Health and Safety Authority listed the names of people who have died on farms. There is a terrible toll on the families and those directly involved and anyone involved in the accident. I ask the Minister to outline what funding is available and what farm safety initiatives will be undertaken by the Department and by the Government this year.

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