Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)

I want to raise the issue of TB. I want to make the point that farmers are key to our communities. They are also key to our economy.

I attended a very successful tractor run on Sunday. Large numbers were out raising funds for two local schools, Roscomroe National School and Coolderry National School, as well as a local charity called Living Links. There is huge concern regarding the TB proposals. We need to bring farmers with us and we need to protect and support them. I will quote from some of the farming organisations that have expressed concern. The deputy president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, Eamon Carroll, has said he believes that the proposed measures will involve all of the TB burden being placed on farmers. The IFA's animal health chair, TJ Maher, has pointed out that the TB proposals are "crude" and suggested that the financial burden will be laid at the feet of farmers. Does the Minister accept the justified criticism? Will he go back to the drawing board and devise solutions?

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