Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The issue of farm safety has been discussed here this morning by a number of my colleagues and I agree with them wholeheartedly. Some 24 lives have been lost so far this year on farms and that is far too many. I look forward to a discussion in this House on the issue of safety so we can do everything possible to ensure there are no more tragedies affecting farming families. I commend the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, as at the national ploughing championships last week he introduced safety features and grants for farmers who wish to install or repair slats or manhole covers. The safety features he introduced will lower the risks facing farming families and they are welcome. The grants will encourage people to carry out improvements on their farms.