Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)

Cuirim fáilte mhór roimh an Aire Stáit chuig an Teach seo ar maidin. I thank the Minister of State for his presence.

Earlier this week, as he knows, a case of avian influenza was confirmed on a commercial turkey farm in Clontibret, County Monaghan. This case comes after two last week, one in County Meath and one in County Carlow. There was also one in Northern Ireland. As the Minister of State may be aware, around three quarters of poultry produced in Ireland comes from the Cavan-Monaghan area. This is therefore a huge issue for us and one of major concern. It is a particularly stressful time for farmers involved in poultry. I express my sympathies and support to those who have been affected by these outbreaks. This is already the most stressful time of year, particularly for turkey producers, with the seasonal nature of their market.

We can only hope that the stringent biosecurity measures in place will mitigate further outbreaks going forward. The highly pathogenic avian influenza situation is distressing not just because of the measures affected farmers must take, but also because the financial worry and upset to the business, to the livelihood and to the family, especially at this time of year. Most poultry farms are family farms and as such there is a wider human factor to these outbreaks for both the families and local communities.

I have spoken to local farmers and their representatives about their concerns and they had many questions that need to be answered urgently. In dealing with the situation, clarity is vitally important. Clarity will reduce stress not only for those involved, but also for the poultry farmers in general. First, farmers want to know when poultry keepers can restock if they are within a 3 km protection zone and what procedures must be followed, including any required inspections or testing. They need to know whether restocking is permitted, how long the restrictions will remain in place and what compensation will be made available to affected farmers. Farmers in a 3 km and 10 km protected zone need to know when to expect a phone call from the local regional veterinary office and whether they will receive advice on-site and what level of follow-up will be there for them.

Given the recent increase of outbreaks, what contingency measures are in place to deal with potential staffing or resourcing shortages in the Department or among veterinary contractors? What measures are in place if the number of affected sites increases further? I understand that if the funding was announced in budget 2026 for the Department of agriculture to include a provision for a disease fund. This is vitally important. When will this fund be established? How will it benefit poultry farmers?A farmer whose flock level gets influenza will get some compensation but other farmers within the 3 km zone are afraid they will be left empty-handed, with no income and no ability to generate income with the restrictions. They need to be looked after. These farmers have repayments to make and families to support, particularly at this time of year. I would also be grateful if some solace could be provided for these farmers and the poultry industry. What much-needed measures can we look forward to being in place, particularly for the farmers in the 3 km zone? They are sitting there at the moment and cannot restock. They fully accept why they cannot restock but they have bills to pay and houses to keep warm in the event of stock coming in. We need to know what is available for those farmers.