Emergency TB summit ‘not before time'
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Deputy Martin Kenny, has said that the agriculture minister's decision to call a summit to address the increasing bovine tuberculosis (TB) rates is 'not before time'.
Yesterday (May 1), Minister Martin Heydon announced that he is bringing together key stakeholders to a meeting next Thursday, May 8 to discuss a reset of the TB programme aimed at addressing deteriorating TB disease levels.
The minister admitted that we have reached a 'crossroads in our efforts to control and ultimately eradicate bovine TB'.
TB disease levels in recent years have increased significantly. Herd incidence has increased from 4.31% in 2022 to 6.04% in 2024, a 36% increase in the number of herds restricted between 2022 and 2024.
Deputy Martin Kenny said said: 'We have seen significant increases in TB rates over the past few years, rising 36% between 2022 and 2024.
'There was a total of 41,630 reactor cattle in 2024. This has a devastating impact on farm families throughout the country. We need to get real and tackle the problem – it is not before time that the minster called this summit.
'While it is stressful enough for farmers to have to send their cattle to slaughter the department has added to that stress with the delays in paying out compensation to farmers.
'The minister says that he plans to revamp the eradication plan. While this is welcome, I hope that he listens to farmers and stakeholders at this summit and takes on board what they have to say,' Kenny added.
The Sinn Féin TD claimed that what the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has proposed to tackle TB thus far, is not workable for farmers but rather penalises and blames farmers for the problem.
'There can be no reduction in compensation rates, and we cannot have a situation where herds are in prolonged restrictions and the blacklisting of farmers with herd restriction categorisation,' Kenny continued.
'I hope that the minister invites farmers and stakeholders from the north to this summit as TB does not stop at the border.
'TB is a serious issue for famers in the north just as it is here. We need an all-Ireland approach to eradicating TB.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Irish neutrality protest: Hundreds march through Dublin city demanding triple-lock safeguard
About 400 people marched through Dublin city centre on Saturday, demanding the protection of the Republic's neutrality, with some calling for a referendum on the Government's plan to remove the triple lock. Amid heavy downpours, the protesters marched from the Garden of Remembrance chanting: 'Save our neutrality, keep the triple lock!' And 'No to Nato!' Traffic was brought to a halt as the march proceeded down O'Connell Street towards Leinster House. The march organised by Together for Neutrality, a coalition of political parties and civil society organisations, was in opposition to the Government's proposal to remove the triple lock system, described by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald on Saturday as a 'very dangerous course of action'. READ MORE The Government has repeatedly argued that the triple lock – mandating that overseas deployment of Irish troops must be approved by the Government, Dáil Éireann , and the United Nations – allows permanent members of the UN Security Council, such as Russia and China, to veto the deployment of Irish troops for peacekeeping missions. The Sinn Féin leader said the Government would do better arguing for reform of the UN, 'rather than trying to sidestep it'. She claimed the Government's reasoning is 'just one of the lines that they spin to try and justify what is an unjustifiable attack on the triple lock and on Irish neutrality. If they wish to abolish, damage and undermine Irish neutrality ... put it to a referendum.' Agreeing that UN reform should be pursued rather than removal of the lock, Labour spokesman on defence Duncan Smith said such change would be 'difficult and will be a long way off'. He said no country should be able to veto Irish peacekeeping efforts. 'We're not unaware that we do need a more sophisticated policy, but we don't need to remove the triple lock to do those things,' he said. Mr Smith said mandates can be secured through the UN General Assembly, though he acknowledged these 'may not be legally enforceable'. Protesters, meanwhile, said there was 'no coherent argument' for removing the triple lock, believing a referendum should be called. 'There's a false sense of security in Ireland that this would go to a referendum ... It can just be taken away from us without our say and people don't realise it,' said Kirsten Farrelly, one of the protesters on Saturday. She believes the Government has been 'incredibly sneaky in how they've put this across ... Getting cosier with Nato puts more of a target on our head.' Ms Farrelly added: 'I don't want our country to be involved in any way with the war machine. We could be a leading light in peace and crafting a path where people can see peace in the future and avoid conflict, and what's happening now is, 'might is right'.'
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
More recognition and support required for individuals and families experiencing pregnancy loss
The cross-party group has been initiated by Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan who held an Oireachtas briefing on pregnancy loss. Sinn Féin Senator Ryan wants to drive Oireachtas reform regarding policy change and service improvement for people who experience pregnancy loss. The Cork politician hosted a powerful and informative Oireachtas briefing titled: 'Policy change and service improvement for people who experience pregnancy loss: An ambition for the 34th Dáil and 27th Seanad.' The session focused on addressing the lack of recognition, support, and rights for individuals and families experiencing pregnancy loss before 23 weeks' gestation. The event featured expert contributions from Professor Keelin O'Donoghue and Dr Marita Hennessy, leading researchers from University College Cork, alongside representatives from the Miscarriage Association of Ireland and Féileacáin. During the briefing, key recommendations were shared to guide legislative and policy reform in the area of early pregnancy loss. These included an acknowledgement and certification of pregnancy loss under 23 weeks through a national registration system and statutory paid leave for workers who experience pregnancy loss, grounded in findings from the PLACES Project. Another recommendation was the implementation of a new national model of miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage care, informed by the RE:CURRENT Project Speaking at the session Professor O'Donoghue underlined the urgency of political action. 'There is no one thing we can do to foster an equitable, impactful system of care. It requires several action. We know what these are. We have the evidence and they are all within our powers to do.' In response to this call for collaboration, Senator Ryan has formally launched a Cross-Party Oireachtas Group on Pregnancy and Infant Loss, which will serve as a forum to drive coordinated, compassionate policy development and ensure the voices of those affected are heard at every level. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more This follows Senator Ryan's recent introduction of the Pregnancy Loss (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, which proposes a statutory period of paid leave following pregnancy loss under 23 weeks, as well as the establishment of an opt-in national register for bereaved families. As part of her ongoing commitment to breaking the silence and building a compassionate, informed movement, Senator Ryan also announced that a series of public workshops will take place this summer in collaboration with The Bábóg Project. The workshops — titled "The Space Between: Spaces of Stillness" — will run from July to September and will offer space for healing, remembrance, and connection through shared creative expression. Each event will include reflective doll-making in honour of lost pregnancies, with proceeds donated to the Miscarriage Association of Ireland. Subsidised tickets will be available for those who need them. Speaking after the event, Senator Ryan said the grief of pregnancy loss doesn't end in silence. 'This is about more than just policy. It's about recognition, compassion, and justice. Our laws and services must reflect that.' The Cross-Party Oireachtas Group will begin meeting in the coming weeks, with a view to progressing shared policy goals ahead of Budget 2026.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
BBC will not appeal against Gerry Adams' defamation case victory
The BBC will not appeal over Gerry Adams' defamation victory against the organisation. Mr Adams, a former president of Sinn Féin, said there needed to be 'substantial reform' of the broadcaster. Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Féin official Denis Donaldson, in which he denies any involvement. Last month, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour and awarded him €100,000 euros after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. The BBC, which was found by the jury not to have acted in good faith nor in a fair and reasonable way, was also ordered to pay the former Sinn Féin leader's legal costs. The decision not to appeal by the British Broadcasting Corporation has to be followed by a substantial reform of its internal journalistic processes and a recognition that it cannot continue to be a voice for the British state in Ireland After the decision, the broadcaster's legal team was granted a stay in the payment of the full award as it took time to consider an appeal. However, on Friday, the BBC confirmed it would not pursue an appeal. A spokesperson said: 'We have given careful consideration to the jury's decision. 'We will not be appealing its verdict, bringing this matter to a conclusion. 'We remain committed to public interest journalism and to serving all BBC audiences.' In a statement issued through the Sinn Féin press office on Friday, Mr Adams said: 'The decision not to appeal by the British Broadcasting Corporation has to be followed by a substantial reform of its internal journalistic processes and a recognition that it cannot continue to be a voice for the British state in Ireland. 'It must also become more accountable to the public. 'The Dublin Court found the BBC guilty of libel and rejected its claim that its journalism was fair and reasonable and in the public interest. 'The British Broadcasting Corporation is a public service provider. There is an onus on the BBC to ensure that in the future its ethics and journalism reflect the principles and values of a public broadcast service. 'As I have already said the damages will be donated to good causes.'
