Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur faoi chlár an Rialtais. The programme for Government states the Government will utilise the rural development programme to support the promotion of farm safety. The Health and Safety Authority's report for 2015 has revealed that 56 people were killed in workplace accidents, 18 of whom were working in the agriculture sector, the sector with the highest number of deaths. The report also reveals that there were over 7,500 non-fatal injuries, which represents a huge increase on the figure for the previous year. At the same time, there has been a decrease in the number of inspections and investigations, by more than 40%, since 2009. The chairman has blamed this on resource issues. Is this acceptable? What steps will the Government take to honour its commitment in the programme for Government to promote farm safety? Will it increase funding and make more resources available to ensure health and safety at work?

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Government as a whole are very much aware of the tragedies that occur. The haggard or paddock can be a lonely place these days and big machinery can be lethal. This is an ongoing issue in which information, education and constant vigilance are required.

Resources are required.

I have seen many of the demonstrations that are provided on farms advising people to be exceptionally careful near power take-off, PTO, shafts and bigger equipment and machinery that can cause tragic deaths. There is a constant stream of warnings and calls to people to be exceptionally careful when working with farm machinery in any location. More inspections and contact with farmers by the authorities is part and parcel of this. Unfortunately, lives are lost every year in accidents involving machinery, PTOs, and tractors that one might think would never happen.