David Maxwell

I thought I was counting wrong. Deputy Conway-Walsh has asked that we proceed directly to her next question, which is No. 5, as she has to leave. Is Deputy Gibney agreeable to that?

I thank the Minister of State.

I thank the Minister of State.

I wish to advise the House that the Ceann Comhairle has agreed to a request from Deputy Cathal Crowe to make a personal explanation. I call Deputy Crowe.

Before Deputy Connolly responds, there are six questions in this grouping. I will let the Deputy respond on the second round and let Deputy Murphy in now.

Work away, Deputy.

Deputy Ó Murchú, are you speaking for Deputy Darren O'Rourke?

I am moving on to question No. 172. Deputy Lahart is taking this on behalf of Deputy Cathal Crowe.

Deputy Lahart is taking question Nos. 172 and 173.

We will take Question No. 3 and go back to Question No. 1 afterwards.

Thank you, Minister.

We will move on to Question No. 8.

Is the Deputy happy enough that his question has now been dealt with?

Deputy Ó Cearúil is taking Question No. 12 on behalf of Deputy Byrne.

I will allow Deputy McCormack to ask his question but only one reply because we are out of time.

118. Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on a proposal to restrict the sale of dairy cows in marts from herds that have had an outbreak of TB in the previous three years. [14097/25]

I want to start by thanking the Minister for bringing together all of the parties to work out sensible solutions to eliminate TB on Irish farms.

I thank the Minister. Everyone agrees there is an urgent need to make major changes to the TB programme to try to get this disease back under control. We know that the Department and farmers have put forward plenty of proposals to address all sources of the disease and look at measures to mitigate its spread. Farmers are concerned that the risk-based trading ignores the most fundamental objective …

Our dairy industry is a critical part of rural Ireland and the production of milk is essential for our economy. In recent years, the number of farmers leaving the sector has risen. If this ban is put in place, it could be the final straw for some farmers to leave the sector where, through no fault of their own, they cannot trade in marts for three years because their herds are restricted. If this …

I now call on Deputy Ó Broin. I will take Deputy Gould's question after Question No. 4.

The Minister, without interruption.

Allow the Minister to answer, Deputy.

Deputy, allow the Minister to answer.

Members----

Deputy Ó Broin.