Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I saw reported in one media outlet that in 1986, what pig farmers were receiving equated to €1.40 per kilo. Today, 36 years later, they get €1.42, which puts in very stark terms the broader challenge faced by this sector, like many of our other agricultural sectors. I welcome the initiatives the Minister has taken to date, but we now require clear resolve in terms of how we can allow our farmers to get over this crisis and flourish into the future.

The Minister did not mention the issues pertaining to the workforce in the processing sector. He has outlined that 2,000 staff will come into the sector. The big question is when that will happen. It will make a difference but it needs to happen quickly.

The second point is on the SBCI. Will measures be put in place for those farmers who have already been in contact with their banks but have been shown the door in order that they have a realistic prospect of returning there? What measures has the Minister discussed with them?

The Minister spoke about what he raised at the AGRIFISH Council. Can we point to anything productive coming from that which says this will allow the situation to be resolved?

I will return to the point I made about the Brexit reserve fund. It was the story of Irish agriculture, by and large, that allowed us to be successful in making the case for the fund in the first place and for Ireland to have a significant portion of it. To date, farmers have not received any direct supports. This is a clear example of a sector that has been impacted by Brexit and would benefit from that fund. Is the Minister open to examining whether the Brexit reserve fund can be used in this instance? Will he expedite efforts to secure and deliver funding from that mechanism?

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