Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I stand in solidarity with the distressed farmers in my constituency, Laois-Offaly. I have met many farmers who are in serious financial distress. We need urgent action. The Government does not realise that agriculture is the backbone of our economy. The Government is slapping carbon taxes on it and is not giving the farmers fair play. It was an insult during the summer when many farmers could not access the BEAM because of the unfair conditions applying to that scheme. We need fair play for all and rural Ireland cannot be forgotten about. We will certainly make sure that it is not.

See this speech in context