The lobby in Agriculture House, the Department of Agriculture's headquarters in Kildare Street Dublin, was back in the news again yesterday. This time it was not because of sheep driven in there, but for a different kind of access altogether.
Yesterday, just as the President Ms McAleese was dissolving the Dáil, the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, was unveiling free Internet access for any farmer who might walk in there and ask to use the Department's new kiosk.
The kiosk will use touch-screen technology to "wean" farmers on to the idea of using new technology and to show them "that IT is not rocket science", said a department spokesman.
They will be able to find out information on the various schemes available to them and with 57 per cent of farm income now coming through the post, this will be valuable information indeed.
The Minister said the kiosks will enable Department clients throughout the country to benefit from electronic access to public services.
Initially, there will be four kiosks installed on a pilot basis; one in Dublin, Ennis, Co Clare, Clonakilty, Co Cork, in the Minister's home town and in Raphoe, Co Donegal.
Ultimately, the Department's IT section hope that farmers will do more and more business on line and with the provision of special swipe cards, will be able to claim what they are owed.