Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In my opening remarks I endeavoured to keep this issue free of party politics because it should be above it. There is a real crisis. What concerns me about the Taoiseach’s reply is that he uses every word but “crisis”. He says the Minister is open. He used the words “acute concern”, “difficulties” and “challenging”. The Minister did the same last week, but there is a determined effort to avoid use of the word “crisis”, as if uttering it would mean the Taoiseach would have to take some action. He mentioned everyone but the Government is taking some action on this issue. There is a credit problem which is looming and getting worse for the millers, co-operatives and farmers.

I asked the Taoiseach three questions. Did he accept there was a crisis? He said, “No.” The farmers I met yesterday were very clear that there was a crisis. Everyone knows that if those who take decisions do not accept there is a crisis, it impacts on the urgency and nature of their response.

I asked if the Taoiseach would set up a national task force to bring all stakeholders together to develop a national response to the crisis for many farmers who are in difficulty through no fault of their own. I accept the matter has to do with negative climatic conditions. However, the unprecedented nature of these climatic conditions justifies a national response led by the Government in bringing all stakeholders together. It is not too much to ask the Taoiseach to put together a national group to lead a proper, co-ordinated response to the crisis. Paying €135 a bale, as the Dairygold Co-operative Society has had to, is not an answer. I met a farmer yesterday with 100 cows who had enough feed to last only until today. The crisis so far will have cost the average farmer with 70 cows up to €20,000.

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