Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to raise the appalling rustling of cattle that happened near Tyrrellspass and Kilbeggan in recent days. It is important for this House to be aware of the significance of this issue. Approximately 100 cattle worth in the region of €100,000 were taken from a young farming couple. The obligation for every animal to be tagged at birth is significant because it allows for traceability from the birth of a calf or a lamb all the way through to the table. With this traceability in mind, and having regard to the devastation this theft has caused this young couple, it is important that we raise the matter in this House. I ask the Leader to convey my abhorrence of what has happened to the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister for Justice. How could such a number of cattle disappear overnight? The strong level of cross-Border co-operation on agricultural issues was very noticeable at an event in Abbeyleix last Sunday. I was fortunate to attend the event, which was organised by a group that is trying to reduce the number of farm deaths. This House was complimented at that function for the work that was done at the Seanad Public Consultation Committee and on the report it produced. Ministers from Northern Ireland and from this country attended the event to show solidarity with the farming community. While I am not looking for an urgent debate on this matter, I urge the Leader to take it seriously. It boggles the mind that 100 animals could be taken from a farm and disappear without trace overnight. It is a serious issue. If these people can get away with such theft - it may have been night-time robbery rather than daylight robbery - it is appalling. The devastation caused to a young farming couple who are probably not in a position to rebuild their stock is an extreme worry to me and to the farming community.