It is my information that a Statutory Instrument will be laid before the Dail shortly that will anul the previous Instrument that allowed the introduction of the testing of tractors and in that regard I want to publicly thank a number of people who helped make this a reality.
I have spent the last three weeks putting on pressure to have this situation resolved and despite commitments being given at a meeting held between all the farming organisations, contractors and all the other stakeholders including the Department, no move has been made to have the new Statutory Instrument laid before the Dail, However I understand by word of mouth that a commitment has been given”and it will be laid shortly.
I have worked on this every day along with staff in the Dail who have been very helpful however I got little or no support from some of the larger, and indeed some of the smaller groupings, who did not give me the time I wanted to have this motion laid down. However I want to acknowledge the help given to me by Deputy Martin Kenny who not alone signed the motion along with me but also offered Sinn Fein time as well.
I am very hopeful that this matter is now resolved after a lot of foot dragging. I also want to say that Deputy Sean Canny was doing his best on this matter but I made little progress with many others. This is not about kudos for anyone, it is about common sense to stop a measure that was brought in without consultation with those affected including farmers and contractors. Let’s hope that the interested parties can now work together and make sure that agricultural activity is not included in the regulations that will be agreed in the coming months.