Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I compliment Deputy Ó Cuív for bringing this important matter before the House and I thank the Technical Group for allowing me to use some of its speaking time.

Many months ago I raised the fodder crisis in this Chamber. It was before many others spoke about it. I recall asking the Taoiseach about it one day. He gave a short and sharp response but it was not an answer. Later that evening the Minister announced the scheme to bring hay to this country. I am convinced that when the Taoiseach responded to me, he did not know the Minister was arranging the scheme to subsidise bringing hay to the country. If he did, he would have said it that morning. There was no cohesion in the Government. I am generally complimentary about the Minister but I am not happy with the way he has handled this situation. This situation does not just affect us now, it will be compounded next October, November, December and next year. We are too far behind-----

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