Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is of course right that farmers are incredibly stressed when there is a TB outbreak on the farm, but they are also stressed by the failure to get on top of this issue. Since 2016, the TB eradication programme has cost around €100 million per year. It is estimated that expenditure up to 2030 will amount to a further €1 billion. The EU has reduced its contributions to the scheme precisely because it has not been working. Therefore, it is crucial that when we are talking about putting in place punitive measures, we have the evidence that they are going to make a difference. There have been major costs affecting individual farmers, the sector as a whole and the Minister's Department in terms of resources. What step-by-step analysis is the Minister carrying out to ensure the burdens being placed on farmers are having the desired effect?

See this speech in context