Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I spoke to a number of sheep farmers outside the Houses this week. They came here seeking action from the Tánaiste's Government to save their sector. Sheep farmers in Roscommon, Galway and across the State are experiencing real financial hardship and have described the €12 per ewe delivered by the Minister as an insult. It clearly needs to be increased. The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association, ICSA, has called for an emergency package to be funded through the Brexit adjustment reserve fund. Sheep farmers are at the coalface with respect to the consequences of Brexit and are also now seeing hundreds of thousands of lambs being imported, including from New Zealand. Every single farm input has increased for them as well. This all comes back to the farmer not getting a fair price for their produce. They need greater support from this Government. Will the Tánaiste ask his Minister to engage with the ICSA to provide additional support to this sector?

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