Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It was clear last summer, given the level of rainfall and poor quality of forage being collected, that a prolonged winter would result in difficulties. In my view neither the Minister nor his Department put any strategy in place for such an eventuality. The skill set in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for dealing with crises is quite high. It has dealt with BSE, foot and mouth disease and the illegal importation of cattle. The special investigation unit has also been established. It is clear there is a skill set in that Department to deal with crises, forward planning and strategising. To the best of my knowledge, virtually nothing was done in this regard.

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