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

The programme for Government has the ambition of protecting farmers' incomes. Suckler farmers are experiencing severe difficulties in County Kerry and all along the west of Ireland. These farmers provide the source of our beef, by and large, for most of the rest of the country. Suckler prices are down by a third in Cahirsiveen, Castleisland and Kenmare marts.

Farmers are losing today. I ask and beg the Taoiseach that the €200 that was promised to suckler farmers be made available this year. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine gave back €76 million to the Exchequer last year and €106 million the year before. Suckler farmers need this money now as otherwise they face extinction. I ask the Taoiseach to take action in the budget this year.

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