Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

If the farms are going badly, the towns and businesses are going badly as well. Some, although not all, grain farmers were hit so badly that they got no crop and therefore no income. I ask the Minister to accept the motion. All they are asking for is €4.5 million. The Minister could get it from Europe if he applies to it. There is a special fund that can be accessed when farmers are hit by inclement weather. Perhaps the Minister does not know about it, but it has been used in the past.

Grain farmers were struggling anyway, but the tillage men in Brandonwell, Fenit, Ardfert, Ballyheigue, Causeway, Abbeydorney and throughout north Kerry were badly hit because they got no grain at all. They were swamped for the months of August and September. Likewise the people from Ballygarvan, Bandon, Dunmanway, Clonakilty and as far as the Mizen Head were hit with sea fog and they got no crop at all. These people who are in the Gallery are on their uppers now and have not a bob. They will not be able to continue into next year. Talking about a loan at this stage is only codding them. That might suit later on, but it will not help them now.

Now is the Minister's time. If he rejects this motion, he will pay a high price because many people very close to him are suffering badly. This needs to be targeted at those who are in trouble because some farmers got grain, but the ones who did not, especially those in Cork, Kerry and up along the west, are the ones who need to be looked after. If the Minister ignores the motion or goes against it, he will pay a high price for it. Fair is fair; these people have nothing left and have nothing to start from for next year. The Government amendment is only a cod.

As for the Deputy who said she would like to blame me for the weather, she will not get away with that. That will be for another day to sort out; it is about the farmers this evening.

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