Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to see the scientific evidence because I am not sure where it is coming from. Agricultural merchants are highly trained and skilled professionals who have been dispensing drugs since 2006. They also provide much-needed employment in rural towns where there is little or no employment. In my constituency we have Midland Veterinary in Tullamore, Portarlington and Edenderry and John Grennan and Sons in Kilcormac and Rath. They provide huge employment where there are few or no opportunities for people to gain employment.

When I raised the matter with the Taoiseach in September he accepted there was still work to be done on the directive. He also said he would discuss the matter with the Minister and look to see whether the application for the additional derogation clause could proceed. This derogation must be sought to protect much-needed jobs and to avoid putting financial burdens and inconvenience on farmers who are already under great strain. Perhaps the Minister might provide an update on the work of the stakeholder forum, which has been established and to which the Minister referred. Has a compromise and resolution of the issue been achieved? I have been inundated with calls from the Twenty-six Counties and there is no way forward other than the derogation.

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