Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the delay with the money, I have had farmers from north Kilkenny whose herds have come down with TB. It is devastating for the whole family. We have high suicide rates among farmers as well. Even when farmers are getting their animals tested, they are waiting for the next few days and hoping to God it will not be them. It is a massive worry for people. When cattle come down with TB, the vet is there with the farmer and gives the farmer the news, although the farmer would know himself or herself anyway. That vet knows the farmer and how many are in the herd. The vet knows what the cost is to the farmer. Why is that money not issued immediately so that the farmer has the money in his or her pocket to try and get his or her livelihood back up and running? It should be quick. Whatever Dr. O'Mahony is going to tell me, it is not quick enough. It needs to be almost immediate.