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

Yesterday I made contact with the Minister, as did many of my colleagues. Unfortunately our calls seem to be falling on deaf ears because the Minister made an announcement yesterday that he would not allow farmers this vital exemption. It would only be between now and 1 July, which is next Sunday. It is so important that the Taoiseach should go to the Minister today and, in the interest of common sense and the honour of God, tell him we have this great opportunity.

People should be encouraged to cut rushes and they should be baling, not alone cutting, hay. However, they have to wait until next Sunday. If the weather was to break next week, it would cost individual farmers thousands and thousands of euro. This is an opportunity that should be seized upon. It would be mighty for the Taoiseach to be seen to be directly getting involved in this. The people would be delighted with him.

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