Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I raised this issue in the Dáil during Leaders’ Questions four weeks ago today. While the response has been too slow and late, I welcome the action the Minister has taken. The crisis is very significant. I disagree with the Minister as there are two crises, the first of which is the physical shortage of fodder. The Minister has spoken at length about that. It puts many farmers who are already in financial difficulty in a position in which they will not have money. Talking about giving more credit to people who do not have money does not solve the problem. I have been saying from the beginning that there is a twin problem.

I suggested some time ago that €10 million be put aside. Let me outline the normal practice in government. In 2009, we put €10 million aside for the flooding crisis that arose that autumn. As it happened, we did not use all the money; it was put aside as a contingency. A sum of €10 million from €1 billion is the equivalent of €10 from €1,000. Therefore, I have no doubt that savings could be found within the Department in this regard.

I accept in good faith the Minister's statement that he has put €1 million upfront. This is very good news. For the first time, the Minister has given an unequivocal commitment on this matter. The fund is for all those people who cannot afford to feed their cattle. The fund is to be administered through the district veterinary offices. I was seeking a similar scheme and suggested Teagasc but the Minister is to operate through the district veterinary officers. He has said that whatever cash is needed will be made available to people through the offices to ensure they can feed their cattle or sheep.