Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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We have had a huge crisis in terms of rainfall levels in the north west since the middle of June. A great many farmers have not got their second cut silage and some have not even had their first cut. There is also an issue in that slatted houses are full and farmers are looking to see what they can do to get the slurry out. We have an issue in that the deadline is coming and I hope there will be some flexibility in regard to extending it or providing flexibility so that farmers can actually get the slurry out. If this continues, as it is clearly going to, we will have a fodder crisis next spring. Does the Minister have any ideas as to what can be done to put a funding scheme in place for farmers, particularly in the northwest region which has had more than double the amount of rainfall it would normally get in a given year?