Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank everyone for their contributions tonight and for their support of the motion. It was disappointing to see a number of Deputies from the Minister's party attack the Opposition and Fianna Fáil for coming forward with the motion instead of reflecting on the performance of the Government in dealing with the issue and trying to head it off.

In the Minister's comments he indicated he does not accept it was a crisis that could be envisaged. It is unfortunate to hear that at this stage because everyone here envisaged it and warned there was a fodder shortage in certain parts of the country which could develop into a crisis. There is something wrong with the Minister's processes and the way he dealt with this if he could not envisage it and be prepared for it. A key flaw in the process was the Minister's attitude to it, his denial there was a real problem brewing and his refusal to listen to the farming organisations who repeatedly urged him to prepare for and take on board that there was a problem. The Minister's responses, where there were responses, were not appropriate at the time. The Minister belatedly introduced a transport subsidy to transport fodder from one part of the country to the other instead of listening to the advice he was given to introduce a meal voucher. The transport subsidy which the Minister introduced resulted in the areas the fodder was being taken from eventually running out of fodder. It is a tremendous failure on the Minister's behalf to have put in place a scheme that contributed to the crisis rather than responding appropriately.

Everyone has acknowledged that the Minister cannot control the weather but he needs to have a sense of what is happening on the ground and be in a position to respond to it, be prepared for it and show leadership. Unfortunately, that has been entirely absent in the Minister's and Government's response to the fodder crisis. While the Minister continues to hope for the best, the situation is now what people warned him about, in other words, the fodder crisis we now find across the country.

We are asking the Minister to fully and properly respond and assist farmers over the next couple of weeks. Our motion outlined the need for a hardship fund and a meal voucher for those who are in trouble. We are also seeking the low-interest loan scheme to be introduced immediately. I understand that during the week the Minister indicated to farming organisations that it will not be available until the end of this year. We need to see the GLAS and sheep welfare scheme payments paid immediately. There also needs to be understanding for the farming community in terms of the inspection regime over the next period of time.

Farming is a very difficult pursuit. Farmers have to make a living not only to pay bills for their families and run their households but also to cover the costs of their farms and ensure, importantly, that their cattle can be fed. The Minister needs to recognise it is a very distressing time. Over the next couple of weeks he should perform his role as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and give farmers the assistance they need to get through this very difficult period. I commend the motion to the House.

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