Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Therein lies the problem. Our beef industry, or at least the 52% of it that exports to Britain, is completely at the behest of the goodwill of the Tories and dependent on the deal. In addition to what is happening with beef prices, that is absolutely enormous. Farmers are concerned that, while discussions may be going on, they need something tangible that can be drawn down at short notice. The Department knows how long it takes to put schemes in place because of IT systems and whatever else is needed. If a hard Brexit is followed by eight to 12 months without supports, thousands of farmers, will not be able to remain in business.