Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. While the measures he outlined are important in respect of ensuring that direct payments are paid promptly and with regard to delivering affordable credit to farmers in all farming sectors, it is exceptionally disappointing to see that he made no reference to the need for a crisis fund to assist those farmers who are facing ruin in certain parts of the country because they have not been able to get their crops. That is most acute problem facing us at the moment and one that needs the most urgent response.

The tillage forum is welcome. I know the Minister has come from a meeting of the forum and I appreciate the fact that he is taking time to update us. However, I was particularly hopeful that there would be more substance in terms of what the response might be because this is what grain farmers across the country, including the western seaboard, who have not been able to get their crops are seeking. While affordable credit for cashflow pressures is necessary for many in the farming industry, unless there is a recognition of what farmers - who will be ploughing this year's crop back into the ground in the coming weeks because they were not able to get it and who are facing merchant bills, contractor bills and conacre bills for those who rented the land for which they are now getting no return - are facing, many will simply not be able to manage their finances, pay their bills this year or remain in the sector.

As I pointed out earlier, we have lost 100,000 acres of tillage in the past four years. It is crucial that the Minister responds. I ask the Minister to zone in on it. Will there be a crisis fund and will he raise it at next Monday's Council of Ministers to seek the support of his EU colleagues to introduce such a fund?

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