Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Is it true that Ireland received €1.6 billion in pillar 1 funding from the EU? That figure is effectively the same as it was ten years ago, despite significant inflation. The Minister mentioned that fertiliser, diesel and so on have gone up in price. Farmers are really struggling. I am a spokesperson for them. Everything has been put on hold for the past number of months. Farmers are being asked to do so much with so little money. They have often told me there is no additional support for farmers with CAP payments being repurposed for environmental measures. The money they are getting is being diverted to other things. These farmers are pleading with the Minister for a bit of help. We are having very unusual weather. I know the Minister helped them last year. They are also looking for a bit of help this year because everything is so expensive. I plead with the Minister to reinstate the measure in question, particularly as every other Department seems to be giving out money. These farmers do a fantastic job to put food on people's tables. The Minister mentioned Ukraine and everything else. These people just need a bit of help. Even families are actually getting out of farming. Will the Minister please help by reinstating the measure?

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