The Taoiseach made a mistake about the Killarney bypass. I hope he will brief himself on the agricultural situation because the programme for Government makes explicit commitments to supporting agriculture. This is a hardy annual: every year the slurry spreading deadline, 15 October, comes up. With so much bad weather this year, as in many other years, farmers cannot possibly empty their slurry and make best use of it. Spreading it in wet weather causes pollution. This is ridiculous. It should never have been based on a calendar month. It should be based on climatic conditions. Will the Taoiseach direct the Ministers for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and maybe the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the three who have passed this around, to see sense and allow it to be done in good weather and not in conditions that are appalling?

I would like to join in that request to ask that the time be extended for at least two weeks. It has been the worst year in history for spreading slurry.

All the tanks are full. Please give them a chance by extending the time by two weeks.

Who is the Government expert on slurry?

The Ceann Comhairle can take his pick.

It is no laughing matter.

I am not the only Member of the House getting a little mixed up today. This is a matter for the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, not the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine -----

That is what I said.

-----but I will ask the relevant Minister to reply to the Deputy's question.

The Taoiseach is passing the buck.

As I am on my feet, I want to extend to the Deputy's constituents in Ballingarry my particular compliments on a really excellent National Famine Commemoration.

I thank the Taoiseach for coming.

I thank the Deputy for being there also. It was a very appropriate location for the commemoration and I pay tribute to the people of Tipperary for putting on a very fitting occasion.

We have moved away from slurry.