James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

Up and down the country farmers young and old have been plunged into a cashflow crisis. Last week I had three young farmers in my clinic looking for references to take with them out of the country to Canada to try to earn money to pay for their slatted shed because of the Minister's behaviour. Farmers took a disproportionate hit in last year's budget when the Minister abolished the installation aid for young farmers and abandoned the farm retirement scheme. Shame on the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. His position is untenable and he should consider this tonight because the farmers of the country are fed up with his behaviour.

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