On behalf of my Rural Independent colleagues I too want to express our sympathy and thank all the groups supporting the earthquake victims.

The deer overpopulation situation is alarming throughout rural Ireland and parts of urban Ireland. There is actually a deer consultation open at the moment which closes this Friday. The lack of awareness, getting the message out about this consultation, is very poor. I am calling for the Government to insist on it being extended for at least a month.

It is a health and safety issue for rural dwellers, road users, farmers, land owners and ordinary people. There have been numerous accidents around my county of Tipperary, Waterford, Limerick, Kerry and everywhere else. People have been seriously injured. There will be fatalities. There is overpopulation. People need to feed into the strategy that is being developed, but if they are not aware of the consultation, they cannot. I ask that it be extended by four weeks until 10 March.

Is there anyone here to talk to us about venison?

I understand that the consultation is being led by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which has re-established the deer forum. We are conscious of the deer population. We need better data and statistics, but there has been good engagement with the public consultation and we are getting a better picture of the situation. It is important-----

Can it be extended?

I cannot say, as it is being led by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.