Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. The mart in Sixmilebridge continued and some sales took place, including the sale of my uncles’s yearlings, but too many animals went home in trailers. Many rural farms in Clare do not have a broadband connection, and for those that have it, the connection is rather slow. Given the age demographic of the farmers going to marts, I am sure they will forgive me for saying they would not be adept at going out to their jeeps and bidding on their tablets or iPhones. That would not come too easily to them. The only true way forward, and it is to be hoped we will get there quickly, is a blended sale format where 20 or 25 people can be in the ring and others can be sitting outside in their jeeps bidding as well. That is where we will find the real market price being struck.

Many farmers are budgeting their food rations, silage and hay for the winter. There is a very small window of time during which they want to sell these animals so that they do not end up bringing them into a slatted shed, with those animals further eating into their planned food rations. I hope it is a fluid situation. The guidelines on Covid must be adhered to, but it is to be hoped this issue can be revisited. I thank the Minister for giving of his time tonight.

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