Paul Daly (Fianna Fail)

Before the recess I raised the issue of farm safety here because again this year Farm Safety Week fell during our recess. It ran from July 21 to 25, while we were in recess. Had we been sitting, we would have had the Minister in for statements that week. By virtue of the fact we missed out on that, I am raising the issue again today. The catalyst for raising it today is twofold. First, it is in reference to an open letter which the Minister has issued to all farmers to create awareness of safety on their farms. It is only 1 October and we have reached 16 fatalities, unfortunately, which was the total figure for entirety of year. We all need to raise awareness of safety. The heavy machinery season, with silage and the harvest, etc. is over, and now we are coming into the season for housing animals. Livestock is as much a threat as machinery. Everybody needs to be careful.

The issue is twofold in that when we discuss farm safety we often do not include mental health. We talk about the physical health and well-being of the farmer. However, it should concern the mental and physical health and well-being of the farmer. I welcome the announcement and launch at the National Ploughing Championships by the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Deputy Butler, of 15,000 hours of free counselling, either over the phone or in person. The over-the-phone element is vitally important. When a farmer comes in after a long hard day he is not motivated to change his clothes and go to an office or GP practice. He can pick up the phone and receive counselling.

My ask is not unprecedented. I ask that when we bring in the Minister with responsibility for farm safety, we bring in two Ministers. It would be a powerful statement with regard to the importance of mental health within the whole issue of farm safety, physical and mental health if the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health was sitting beside the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae, when we have that debate in order to highlight the inclusion and importance of one's mental health as well as one's physical health.