Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also support my colleague, Senator Mullins, in seeking a debate on farm safety. I was greatly moved recently by an interview on Clare FM, as well as some national interviews given by Eugene Hogan on the tragic death of his brother, Dermot, as a result of a farm accident in County Offaly. I note there have been a couple of tragic farm accidents in County Clare recently. I believe the Seanad has a role to play in examining farm safety and how the number of these unnecessary deaths can be reduced. In this context, I propose today that the Seanad should engage in a public consultation process on farm safety. This would bring in the Health and Safety Authority, those who have found themselves bereaved as a result of farm accidents, as well as the manufacturers of the high-powered machines that are causing many of the farm accidents.

This House has a unique role to play in highlighting this area which is causing a lot of grief and loss of life for our citizens. It would be appropriate for the Seanad public consultation process to be adopted and for the House to hold hearings on this topic. The House has held very successful hearings in the past, particularly in the area of cancer. If the House was to do that, it would make a positive contribution to reducing then number of deaths in farm accidents.