Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1213. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a report (details supplied); if his Department is considering this to help with farm safety; if an alternative safer power take-off, PTO, system can be examined in the interest of safety; his plans to fund same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36292/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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While the Health and Safety Authority has primary responsibility for farm safety, I am particularly supportive of  improving the safety record on farms. The rate of accidents on farms remains far too high and it is important that a focus on safety must become an integral part of farming culture. While there are many risks in farming, farming does not have to be a dangerous occupation. Behavioural change is what is required to prevent many accidents. It is a case of being aware of the dangers and taking the time to do what is necessary to minimise the risk.

The use of the hydraulic drive system is a possible alternative for machines that have a low power requirement to drive them. These systems remove the need for PTO drives which revolve at high revolutions per minute. However, such systems are not suitable for machines that have a high power requirement such as balers, forage harvesters etc.

My Department continuously reviews the potential for machinery improvements that provide more safe working environments.