Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I have no problem in meeting any of the landowners and my door is open in that regard. We had a meeting last week but the difficulty is the threat response plan is taking so long to be developed. While we were given a commitment that it would be ready by about now, it is not ready because of other issues around it. As we cannot pull it from the sky, it is to be hoped that the threat response plan will be available within 12 months. In the meantime, however, I assure the Deputy that I will meet anyone to discuss this issue and will have further meetings if so doing helps to resolve the problem. I am quite open to dealing with the office of the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, and with his officials to try to resolve this issue. I assure the Deputy and the people in general in this regard. I acknowledge there are many worried farmers, as Deputy Ferris also is aware, and it is a matter of huge concern. We want to work together and to work with these people and I give the Deputy an assurance that my door is open to discuss matters.

See this speech in context