Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The issue the Deputy raises is a very significant one. The issue of farm safety is a very significant priority for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and his colleague, Minister of State, Deputy Pat Breen, who has responsibility for the Health and Safety Authority. Farming is the occupation with the highest risk of fatalities in Ireland with a rate nearly ten times the average across occupations. It is a very serious and disturbing situation. The Health and Safety Authority has primary responsibility for health and safety on farms and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is working closely with it. There are a number of ongoing initiatives in the Department.

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