Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will not say much before I hand over to the Aire, as I am in the Chair, other than to endorse the comments of many Senators. However, something that has been very important to date, which the Minister has shown previously, is the way he engages with people, not alone the farming organisations but sometimes individual farmers, who are probably in a distressed state or situation. That is very important. I welcome the fact he has been trying to tidy up areas of moneys from which people can be paid. The transport scheme is important in this regard, as was mentioned.

Will the Minister look at the case of some small farmers along the River Shannon who are outside the Callows flood scheme? Although I welcome that scheme, very small farmers are now in a little difficulty with regard to fodder. Maybe he will look at that scheme again to see if we can do something for them. People might be able to share fodder with them or whatever. I will give the Minister the names of those individuals.

On Lough Funshinagh, let everybody spare a thought for those who were flooded out because of the actions and whims of Friends of the Irish Environment, which blocked the emergency work. That is another story, but those people are in desperate straits at present. The Government is engaging with the Attorney General on that, but I ask the Minister to do everything he can to help those people. I will hand over to him to finish the debate.