Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, which the Government unwisely set, up is aggravating and tormenting farmers with suggestions that exports should be taxed further and that farm payments, which are subsidies, should be brought to a halt. I have to remind these people that farm payments are compensation to farmers who are not properly paid for their produce and who, by giving cheaper food, are helping the consumers of Ireland and Europe. This is very unfair. These people were not elected by anybody. The farmers’ representatives and every other part of our community are represented by Deputies and Ministers in Dáil Éireann.

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