Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will raise with the Taoiseach the impact the current energy crisis is having on our protected crop growers, particularly in north County Dublin. Last week, I met with Councillor Robert O'Donoghue and representatives of Welgro Produce, a young company of growers which is at the cutting edge of this industry and which has won awards for its sustainable practices. They are the kind of people who are going to bring our growing sector into the 21st century. The company is being crippled by energy costs which may see it go out of business within weeks. If we are to get where we need to be with regard to food security and a climate-resilient growing industry, we need to protect such companies through the transitional period we are now in, which the Taoiseach referenced in response to a question from Deputy Bacik earlier.

What is the Government doing for these growers? What is its plan?

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