Dáil debates

Thursday, 30 April 2020

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements

 

11:15 pm

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I share the Deputy's view that constructive dialogue is the way to go and I look forward to that. I have engaged directly with SBCI and accept that there is a gap in the financial instruments that we have so far been able to deliver, with regard to working capital. As I alluded to earlier, a legislative fix is required to enable us to deal with that. We are making sure that once that is delivered, everything else will be ready. I have also engaged with the pillar banks about forbearance for the industry.

Regarding that engagement, they have been responsive. I have also had that feedback from individual farmers and farm leaders.

I accept the issue and the point made, and I have had some engagement with charities in the area of animal welfare. This lockdown is having implications and consequences in ways we could not have imagined. During my tenure as Minister, we have significantly increased the supports we give to these charities. They do invaluable work, which the State could never replicate, by virtue of their voluntary nature. We will have to keep an open mind as to how we will support them in future, given the challenges they are facing and the loss of voluntary support because of the lockdown. We were able to advise them regarding the care of animals and livestock, which includes the care of companion animals etc. I appreciate, however, that this is an area that will require ongoing vigilance. Turning to the opening of pounds etc., that is a challenge being considered in the context of a whole host of other areas. This is the cumulative impact of a host of what are seemingly inoffensive activities, and we have been in contact with the national public health team about farmers' markets, allotments etc.

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