Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh Uachtarán na hOstaire, Aire Oideachais, Ealaíon agus Cultúir na tíre sin agus na daoine eile atá anseo ón tír stairiúil sin. We have a lot in common with Austria and agriculture is one of those areas. Last night, I attended a meeting in Dundalk organised by Louth Macra na Feirme in connection with farm safety. Senator Daly referred to statistics. This is one case where the statistics and the facts come together. A total of 6% of the occupational population accounts for over 50% of occupational fatalities. This means that farming makes up over 50% of occupational fatalities. This year alone, there have been 25 fatalities on Irish farms when there have been fewer than 50 in total. For example, I think there have been six fatalities in construction. We need to do something about that in terms of education. There is a disproportionate number of young and elderly people suffering fatalities on farms. The main reasons are tractors, machinery and drowning. There are varying accounts for 17% of farming in terms of the working population and 57% of accidents and fatalities.

I would like the Minister to be invited to the House for statements on farm safety to see if we can improve the current situation and prevent the needless loss of life on our farms.