Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur faoin farm safety scheme. So far this year there have been three fatal accidents on Irish farms. These deaths account for 60% of all fatal work accidents since the start of the year but farming accounts for less than 6% of the workforce. Last year was the worst in more than two decades for farm deaths, with 30 people, five of them children, dying on farms. That was an 87% increase in the number of fatalities in 2013. The high number of fatal accidents is a clear reflection of the difficult working conditions farmers must endure. Despite this, the Health and Safety Authority has indicated it intends cutting the number of inspections this year.

Thank you.

Commissioner Phil Hogan has repeated his threat to reduce farm payments for non-compliance in the farm safety area. Will the Government support this? When will the new farm safety scheme be introduced in 2015?

Fair play, Deputy McLellan. That was a fine speech.

It is happening at the grassroots.

There is much work and promotion to try to end the tragedy of the many fatal farm accidents that have happened to young people, children and people at work on farms. I know the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister of State, Deputy Gerald Nash, together with the Health and Safety Authority, have been involved with an enormous range of initiatives throughout the country and particularly on family farms. As the Deputy knows, the biggest dangers are slurry pits and the risks they pose for farmers and children. I am not clear to what legislation the Deputy is referring.

I was referring to farm safety schemes.

There are no legislative plans but there are plans being actively implemented in the form of safety programmes and awareness campaigns. As the Deputy knows, all the media have been giving much coverage to the issue of farm safety. I am thankful as it is very important.

Before calling Deputy Stanley, I remind Members that they should be brief as many Members are offering to contribute.