John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The farmers I come across in my constituency are dealing with serious issues of finance on their farms and need all the support they can get. They are facing all sorts of challenges, some relating to climate change and others relating to the sheer administration of their enterprise. The weather has not helped and is not helping them, and while it is quite different now and it is good to see them all out in the fields again, they suffered losses. I expressed concern in the past two weeks about the mental health issues facing farmers. Last night, I experienced one such family, where I had to go to talk to the farmer concerned, and to say he was suicidal is not overstating it. He was in really poor shape. The Department needs to understand the types of pressures farmers are under and ease up on some of the investigations that are ongoing. I am not saying we should abandon them and I know the Department has a job to do, but there is enough pressure on farmers, particularly farm families, without the additional burden of an ongoing investigation. Whatever the investigation will throw up or whatever the results will be, they will be the same tomorrow or the day after that. I appeal to the Minister, therefore, to say to his officials that while they have a job to do, they should be careful and conscious of the fact all these financial farming issues have caused serious difficulties for farm families and that they need a break.

I have heard a lot of debate condemning farmers and that is simply wrong. They are being vilified for one reason or another, and the more often people stand up in this House and express their support for rural Ireland and farmers throughout the country, the better. They are the backbone of this country and in terms of exports, they are doing a fantastic job. We need to recognise that as good as the stuff they produce is, they in turn are the protectors of the environment on each and every farm. They need support, and I ask the Minister to ensure they will get as much financial support as they can, that they will get support for their health and well-being and that we will be seen to be there to assist them rather than hinder them. I think the Minister's officials will understand the issues as he might explain them to them.

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