Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to address the same matter of agriculture. Like others, I too recognise the importance of the suckler herd. The constituency I represent probably has one of the greatest populations of suckler cows nationwide. It is an important part of the cycle of beef production. If calves are not born and there are no suckler cows, the beef sector on which the country has come to rely, in terms of the jobs and the products for export it provides, will not be the same. Suckler farmers are under considerable pressure this year and Deputy Healy-Rae is right to say that a considerable amount of suckler cows have been sold. The size of the national herd is dropping significantly as a result of the pressure, particularly because of the drought and concerns as to whether there will be enough fodder over the winter. It is important that any possible supports be provided to that sector of the farming community. There is no doubt but that suckler farmers are the poor relation of the farming cohort and they deserve the support of the State because of the line of product that ultimately feeds the country's agricultural sector, which is important for exports.

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