David Maxwell

We move on to Question No. 11. Deputy Byrne is again taking this one.

Sorry, Deputy Brennan, is the question on flood protection?

I am sorry; the supplementary question has to be related to the initial question.

I want to ask the Taoiseach about the Virginia bypass in County Cavan. The development of this bypass will deliver a sustainable solution for transportation problems identified along the N3 through Virginia town and its environs. It has been talked about for too many years. Significant safety and transportation issues have been identified within the area. Virginia town and its environs experience …

The Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimates for public services for the service of the year ending 31 December 2026: Votes 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Minister-----

Keep going, Deputy.

Thank you, Deputy.

I allowed you another ten seconds for that. The Minister of State to reply.

Deputy Ó Murchú wants to ask a supplementary question.

I thank the Minister.

Deputy Butterly is next on the list with parliamentary question No. 70. Does she want to take it? This is the last question for the Department. If she does not want to take it, that is okay.

For question No. 70 or this one?

Deputy Butterly has already used her time and I cannot allow extra time. Does Deputy Butterly want to take parliamentary question No. 70? She does not want to take it. That brings an end to questions to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

I welcome the students from Lucan Educate Together school and their teachers. I have been led to believe they wrote to the Minister about solar panels in their school.

I am sorry, Deputy-----

Deputy Kenny, allow the Minister to answer.

Deputy Kenny, please.

With the permission of the House, I will go back to Question No. 8.

We will move to Question No. 11 before returning to Question No. 9 to give Deputy Ó Murchú a chance to-----

12. Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the current compensation paid to farmers who have to cull animals under a notifiable disease order, such as TB and bird flu, will be reviewed so that a fair compensation is paid, over and above the market value of the animals, to include a proportion of consequential loss; and if he will make a statement on the mat…

Will the Minister consider the current compensation paid to farmers who have to cull animals under a notifiable disease order, such as TB or bird flu, and can this be reviewed so that a fair compensation is paid, over and above the market value of the animals, to include a proportion of the consequential loss? I ask the Minister to make a statement on the matter.

I suppose every TD's office is getting phone calls from farmers. Farmers are losing out. Over the past 18 months, the price of cattle has increased and that is good for Irish farming. In one case, a farmer reckoned his animal was worth €5,000 in the mart and he got the €3,000. It is a big loss. Cattle prices could drop, though we hope they will not. Going forward, can we look at a scheme whereby, …

That is good news. I want to move on to the poultry. Before Christmas, a couple of flocks in Monaghan were affected by bird flu. From speaking to one of the owners, I know that, never mind the loss of the birds you have in your house, it is the cleaning of the house and the disposal of the bedding and shavings. Even shavings that were on-site had to be sent to a specialist for disposal. Following …

Please, Deputy-----