Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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This is a serious question. Are the ICBF witnesses fully aware of the impact of the new index on top cows and ability to make a living on farmers’ income, wellness and mental health? Some people have lost 40% of their income because of this decision. It was wiped out overnight. Do the witnesses have any understanding of what they have done? Will they go back to their board and explain the anger people have and suspend this for a while until there is an independent review on it? That is all we are asking. They have to do this. They are stabbing farmers not in the back but straight into the heart on this issue. They have to understand the feeling and anger that is out there today, all week and since this happened. Overnight, they wiped out people’s incomes. The mental health stress they caused is astonishing. The board members must give very serious consideration to what they have done about their own futures. Do the witnesses realise what they did out there?