I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 35 together.
On 25 September last I issued my proposals to all farm organisations and the veterinary profession and outlined the programme personally to them. At the request of the IFA I agreed to allow them time to enter into discussions with the veterinary profession.
The IFA response to the September proposals was made on 22 December and their fresh proposals were discussed in detail with them on 11 January and in broader terms on 16 February. The veterinary bodies, the Irish Veterinary Association and the Irish Veterinary Union, presented, on 25 January, a joint memorandum broadly welcoming the Minister's proposals and raising a number of questions.
There has been a generally favourable reaction by the organisations concerned to my proposals for changes in the bovine TB scheme. The new arrangements for the scheme are at an advanced stage of preparation and I expect to be in a position to indicate the various elements involved within the next few weeks.