Dáil debates

Thursday, 13 April 2017

Leaders' Questions

 

11:55 am

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

The Government is trying to manage many serious challenges on many fronts, some with little success and others with none. Housing remains a national crisis which is worsening by the day rather than improving.

For the past 22 days, a bus strike has impeded people across the country and has had a detrimental impact on local and regional economies. A report yesterday confirmed that businesses across Cork lost up to €20 million in this period. Provincial towns such as Athlone, Mullingar, Thurles, Sligo and so on have felt the pinch. Businesses there have been down by approximately 20%. Retail Excellence Ireland, REI, predicted this morning that there will be job closures as a result of this strike. All of these losses and the strike itself could have been avoided if the Government had acted when it became aware of the financial difficulties facing Bus Éireann over a year ago.

Banks are pulling out of towns across the country. There is a threat of 250 post office closures. The lack of broadband delivery will leave half a million people waiting until 2023 for a service. These issues sum up and justify how rural Ireland feels neglected by the Government.

Worryingly, the chairman of Dairygold was quoted in today's edition of the Irish Independentas stating that if Brexit leads to customs and tariff controls, there will be decimation in rural Ireland with the cheese, beef, dairy, mushroom and drinks industry being seriously hit. If introduced, the World Trade Organization, WTO, tariffs on cheese will be €1,671 per tonne. The CEO of Dairygold said that this would be an appalling and frightening vista.

The negotiations on Article 50 start at the end of this month. Whatever emerges from the negotiations, Ireland will need a major programme to aid those who are worst hit. The agrifood sector is critical to our economy and will be the sector worst hit. The UK is already funding their businesses to protect supply chains and Ireland needs to do the same.

Can the Tánaiste confirm that the Government is requesting assistance from the EU? Does the Government have a plan for the agrifood sector, which employs tens of thousands of people across the length and breadth of the country?

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