Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the motion. It is the job of government to come to the aid of people when they are in trouble. The grain farmers in the Gallery should not have had to come to the House. A scheme should have been established for grain farmers similar to that established in 2010 for fruit farmers.

Rainfall figures from Met Éireann for September 2016 show County Kerry experienced 28 wet days in that month, County Clare experienced 26 wet days, counties Donegal, Cork and Galway experienced 27 wet days and counties Mayo and Roscommon experienced 26 wet days. These are the official rainfall figures and it is clear from them that heavy rainfall created the crisis for grain farmers. The Fianna Fáil Party has been bringing this issue to the Minister's attention since October 2016 and we requested that he establish a fund on many occasions. Many of those affected live in County Cork, from where the Minister comes, and County Kerry, its neighbouring county. Other farmers in counties Roscommon, Galway, Mayo, Donegal and Clare have also been affected. The approximately 250 people affected need help. Some of them have told us that without assistance, they will go out of business. I plead with the Minister to act quickly. As has been stated, the underspend in the Department in 2016 was almost €87 million. We seek a fund of €4.5 million. This matter should be done and dusted this evening. The Minister should inform the individuals in question that the Government intends to act immediately, put in place the package we seek and ensure the farmers in question can plan ahead for 2017 and 2018.

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