Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This will be the most demanding winter ever faced by farmers, particularly on the western seaboard, where we are bearing the brunt of Atlantic weather conditions. We have a significantly high amount of rainfall in Kerry. There are thousands of tonnes of fodder being brought down from the eastern seaboard, particularly from Wicklow. The Minister can imagine what it will be like in January or even next month for some of those farmers. We must re-examine the situation to reduce the possible negative impact.

Figures were published in the agricultural supplement of the Irish Independent today for per hectare payments for the single farm payment. The figure for Kerry was €178 per hectare, while for Cork, where the land is excellent, especially in the east of the county, the figure was €313 per hectare. There are huge variations between the west and the east coasts. The south-eastern counties got up to €340 per hectare while the figures per hectare for Donegal and Leitrim were €166 and €168. I support the call by Deputy Colreavy. We must have some balance and give the same opportunity to maintain small family farms to all farmers.

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