Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I congratulate the National Ploughing Association on the huge success of the event in Athy in the past few days and for doing such a wonderful job in showcasing the best of Irish agriculture and business. The next major event on the agricultural calendar happens in the east Galway town of Ballinasloe next weekend when a week-long fair and festival commences. We look forward to welcoming as many Members as possible to the town over the two weekends.

I welcome the farm safety awareness initiative launched yesterday by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at the ploughing championships. We should all strongly support that initiative and highlight it in the communities we represent. A total of 18 lives were lost unnecessarily in farm accidents last year and we should all take this initiative seriously.

I join in the condemnation of the execution of Troy Davis.