I propose to take Questions Nos. 711 and 712 together.
A Protocol is in existence between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces concerning the emergency culling of animals by the Defence Forces. The criteria in the Protocol stipulates that a request for the assistance of the Defence Forces for the emergency culling of animals will be made only in circumstances where all possibilities for normal humane methods of culling have been exhausted. On the rare occasions when the Protocol is invoked officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are always present.