Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the matter of farm safety which, coincidentally, my colleague, Senator Gallagher, raised already. This is indicative of the severity of the matter as we did not communicate before we raised it. Unfortunately, in Clare yesterday evening there was another farm fatality and I take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the bereaved. This farm accident brought to 14 the number of deaths on Irish farms this year. Recent Health and Safety Authority statistics state the risk of fatality working in a farm place is ten times that of any other occupation. I am aware that under the chairmanship of the Cathaoirleach and with Senator Conway as rapporteur, there was a report completed by a previous Seanad. I do not know where that report is sitting and it is high time for us to address the matter again. We had a cross-party Seanad committee on Brexit and we have cross-party arrangements or meetings on various matters. If there were 14 fatalities in six months - unfortunately, it is an annual pattern - in any other area, we would all be up in arms. For example, how would we act if the deaths were a result of terrorism? There would be committee meetings, legislation and action taken.

Farm Safety Week will be upon us shortly, the Minister will come in and we will all get the opportunity to make statements. We will pay lip service and when Farm Safety Week ends, we will all appear to move on. At the same time, there will be 14 fatalities in a six-month period. We need to address this very important issue and I would like the House to lead on it. It may follow up the previous report. Reports are fine but they seem to end up on shelves. We need an action plan to see what can be done.

Senator Gallagher mentioned the farm safety budget and it is disgraceful that it has been cut. I do not condone the cut but it is not always about money. The existing budget was not working so perhaps money is being spent in the wrong areas. Perhaps it is not being spent efficiently and there may be cheaper ways of tackling the problem through awareness campaigns and education. It is a very important matter. As I stated, if 14 Irish people were killed by means other than farm accidents, we would hear much more about it.