Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue, an issue that is affecting farmers the length and breadth of the country. I commend my colleague, Deputy Ó Cuív, on giving Members on all sides of the House the opportunity to outline their concerns about how this fodder crisis has been handled heretofore. Many Members have commended the Minister on the role he has played in dealing with the crisis. I acknowledge that he did tackle it and organised the importation of fodder but it was somewhat belated. Having talked with members of the Irish Farming Association, IFA, and the ICMSA, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, in my constituency, I know they were at their wits’ end over the past several months because of this fodder crisis. Neither were they happy with the Minister’s approach to it.

I noted many Government backbenchers spoke on this issue over the past two nights. When Opposition parties put down Private Members’ motions, very few Government Members will speak on them. The Government shared its speaking time with many of its backbench Deputies. I am sure they were getting it in the neck over the past number of months on how this crisis was being dealt with. These backbenchers were very quick to compliment the co-ops, the IFA and the various other groups which were to the fore in tackling the crisis. Unfortunately, the Minister’s role left much to be desired.

The agrifood sector contributes €24 billion to the national economy. It is an extremely important sector. The livestock sector has been badly hit by this crisis. Animal deaths in the first quarter of this year compared to those in 2012 have increased by 26%, a direct result of this crisis.

Other Members have welcomed the fact grass is beginning to grow. This is to be welcomed but it is outside everyone’s control. We cannot even blame the Minister for that.

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