Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank all our guests for coming in and making their presentation. This matter is particularly frustrating for our guests. Flooding, in general, is a vicious circle. Flooding happens, photos are taken and everyone says how awful the flooding is, the flooding goes away but nothing happens and the issue goes around in circles. Obviously in the case of our guests, in the short term there is a need for emergency funding to support farmers but then there is the long term to consider. The good thing about the long-term aspect is that it will not take years, which is the establishment of an agency that manages, is responsible and is accountable for the River Shannon. Such an agency could be established very quickly, it could be done overnight.

The briefing that we have received gives a little bit more detail on the scheme that has been announced. The briefing cites the 230 farmers. From what our guests have said I would guess that the scheme excludes grazing and we must seek clarity on the matter. If that is the case then it is important we ask for those farmers to be included in the scheme and the figure of 230 farmers needs to rise.

The scheme stipulates that the maximum area covered is 15 ha. So a farmer with 15 ha, and farmers have an awful lot more in most cases, will receive a maximum payment of €4,800. Can Mr. Ryan and others tell me how a maximum payment of €4,800 compares with the actual financial loss? I presume that like any scheme there will be a limit but it should not be 15 ha. Can our guests recommend an amount, on average? What does the 15 ha limit need to become?