Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I meet farmers and when I come up here, I do not lose sight of from where I come. Sadly, I see people now on the Government benches who forget how they got here. It is a sad reflection on the capacity of the Government that it cannot deal with the farming community in a way that considers rising costs and asks what it can do to help. I do not suggest cutting the price of diesel by 50%. However, I suggest that the Government can work with all concerned to try to come up with a solution that makes it possible for farmers to get through the tough years.

There will be better years. In fairness to the farming community, when they have good years, they spend money and do not gripe. However, when their backs are to the wall, they need help. I do not see that help coming from that side of the House.

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