Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

As it is coming up to Christmas I draw attention to the plight of farmers, who have had a particularly difficult time. Other colleagues have raised the continuing flooding and, even though it has stopped raining, the damage that has been done around the countryside is very difficult for some farmers to bear. This comes on the heels of some of the revelations over the Irish Farmers Association and the difficulties there for members. As we come into Christmas and spread some Christmas cheer I want to spare a thought for farmers. A lot of troubles have accumulated, both on the representation side and on the reality side.

Many farmers have paid their levies to the association over the year through meat factories. Farmers have told me over the years that, if they were looking not to pay their levy to the IFA as they were having cattle killed, they could barely get out of the system. Now, having paid the levies through the years, they find there is great uncertainty about the amount of money that has been paid out to various members. With prices not being great, with flood damage and some meat companies still making very fine profits from their activities, it has been a difficult time indeed. I trust that, as we go into the new year and into the future, this particular group of farmers will be remembered. Perhaps we can come back to this matter in the new year.