Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It would be very informative. Often deals are made in the EU sphere with the benefit of officials, including Irish officials, having done years of work. When it comes to the Oireachtas trying to react or proactively influencing the process, we are blind. If we are depending on data prepared elsewhere and looking at a cumulative impact across the Union, although we are less than 1% of that the impact to us on our own may be huge compared with that cumulative position. I formally and respectfully ask that the Department, with Bord Bia, examine a range of scenarios. We know a figure of 70,000 tonnes has been mentioned but it could be 100,000 tonnes if recent media reports are to be believed. It would be useful. I do not want to stray into the agriculture committee's remit but there would be financial implications.

It does not arise today but within the budget on an annual basis, is there a contingency set aside in case inclement weather leads to a fodder crisis in the autumn and winter months? Is there a set-aside fund in the annual Vote and if so, how much is that?