Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for outlining the situation. The Livestock Live online bidding system, LSL, has not been fit for purpose so far this month. Back in April and May, when there were blended sales and people in the ring, the system was not under as much pressure but on Saturday, 24 October, the system crashed for about two hours at Sixmilebridge mart, with the result that many of the cattle already in pens in the back yard had to be loaded back onto trailers and returned to their home farms. There was consternation in the marts and considerable anger and frustration among farmers. The mart manager told me that if he were given a green light to separate farmers and bidders, on the basis of a 2 m distance, he could probably fit 28 in the ring. People will really only buy cattle when they can see them in the flesh, as the Minister said. That is what results in the best trading. I understand we are in level 5 but the situation needs to be kept fluid and under review.

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