Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegation for the presentation. The committee will make as strong a representation as it can to the Minister to get a hardship fund in place. It is clear from all the contributions that the issue has gone on too long at this stage and it needs to be addressed. Has the IFA had any response to its action plan from the Government? What feedback is the association getting on it? Has it had discussions with distillers about native grain and malt for the production of whiskey and what feedback has it had from them on sustaining native grain through them?

With regard to the tariff and anti-dumping duties at European level, is the Government supporting the IFA on that? Will Mr. Healy comment on whether the EU competition authority will examine that issue? These are medium to long-term solutions but getting the hardship fund in place is the primary issue initially to keep things ticking over.