Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the witnesses. I am very disappointed about the way they have handled this. It has caused great outrage among farmers all over the country. Coming into Christmas, it is a difficult enough time for farmers and for families to hear this news. The witnesses are right in what they say: the federation has handled this badly in the way that it has communicated it to farmers. I will propose later that the federation suspends its proposals until it sits down with farmers and discuss this and work it out to see what can be agreed. This is being pushed on them and is not fair what is happening to farmers from Europe, from the Department of agriculture and now from the federation. I want to know who recommended the changes. Who was consulted on the changes? Who verified the efficiencies of the changes? Who approved the actual changes? Was the board aware of the severity and effect it would have on farmers all over the country?