Mr. Henry O'Donnell:

On the ANC, it is great to hear the Senator is supportive of where we are going with our campaign. The issue of inspections without notice was raised. We have a huge issue with all inspections. There is a lot of talk about farmers in rural and isolated areas having issues with stress, depression and suicide. A survey was done at the ploughing championships last year where farmers were asked what was the most stressful event they faced. The answer was the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine inspection. There is definitely something wrong there.

We take on board the points that were made about flooding. As a new organisation, we are hit with so many issues that we are developing and dealing with them all and it is quite a task. We take on board everything the members have said.

Deputy Fitzmaurice mentioned the forgotten farmers and I agree with him. We need to quantify how many there are. On his point about the appeals and that end of things, our complaint is that farmers cannot wait for the procedure currently in place to be completed to get their money. It puts them out of business in the meantime. There must be a better way. I will pass to some of my colleagues.