Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I take the Senator's point on the need for information. Efforts are ongoing in considering how to make farms safer. There is no doubt that with modern techniques and the changeover to bigger slurry tanks which create more gas, farms have become very dangerous places. However, there are strict and clear guidelines for the spreading of slurry and agitating tanks, of which people should be aware. As in the case of sending guidelines with the single farm payment, every opportunity should be taken to provide the relevant guidelines and information.

On the new rural development programme, I have advocated for a long time that farm safety measures be included in it. We will discuss the programme in the next number of months, which will provide an ideal opportunity to ensure this happens. Too many people are losing their lives and too many injuries are taking place. If one visits any hospital in a farming area, one is almost guaranteed to meet someone in the accident and emergency unit who has been injured on a farm. This is a real problem and no stone should be left unturned in dealing with it if the Department and I are to have any input in saving lives. The new rural development programme should be seen as a vehicle that could be used to help us to make farms safer.