Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to continue on the issues raised by Senator Daly regarding the "Prime Time" programme last night. It exposed shortcomings in animal welfare but, ultimately, the majority of farmers are compliant. I wish to draw the Government's attention to its commitment in the programme for Government. I believe it is on page 69 because I quoted extensively from it earlier today. It suggests that veterinary surgeons would travel with animals outside of the EU. Quite frankly I do not believe this needs highly paid and highly qualified veterinary surgeons. I believe we need veterinary technicians. I have made a strong case for veterinary technicians. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is fiercely committed to animal welfare and has published an animal welfare strategy. We discussed this at the agriculture committee.

I will spend the remainder of my time thanking RTÉ. There is a great deal of criticism about RTÉ but one of the great things about RTÉ is its current affairs programmes, including "Prime Time" and "RTÉ Investigates" and its journalists, who do a great job and always have done, particularly in current affairs, public life and scrutiny. I am reminded of the programme "Prime Time" last night.