Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On Sixmilebridge mart, which Deputy Crowe raised with me before, I believe it did manage to finish its sale last Saturday. With regard to marts' sales in general online, the clearance rates have been very high and very much in line with traditional mart clearance rates. They are certainly very similar.

On Deputy Cairns's point, I am certainly monitoring the position very closely. I have been talking to farmers, from north Donegal right down to south Kerry, about their experiences and I have also been liaising with mart managers. As I said in the Dáil earlier, the most important thing for farmers is the price. The feedback is that prices have been holding up. While some have been reluctant to go to the mart, we have seen an improvement in this regard and an increase in volumes. The experience for sellers has been a good one.

It has been more challenging for buyers because not everyone is adept at buying online, although many are adjusting. I admit it is not ideal. I am monitoring it closely. Everybody deserves credit for how it has operated.

See this speech in context