Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am extremely concerned and I am sure the Minister is too. The adverse conditions have been really bad. There have been serious concerns around livestock and tillage. The Minister knows the spring crops such as barley have not been sown yet, even in County Louth, which is normally a very dry county. I ask the Minister again if he intends to reinstate the fodder schemes. There has been adverse weather which has affected livestock. People are struggling. There is extreme hardship. I do not come from a farming background but in County Louth and east Meath, there are many farmers. They seem to be annoyed that the Government has not come out and given them any support. Looking at them, with the number of regulations from the EU and even the local county council, the money they are getting from grants has not been increased for a long time. They are looking for a bit of help to help put food on the table. Will the Minister reinstate it or not?

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