Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to formally put on the record that I am not at all happy that a Minister from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is not present. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, told me that he could not be here but there are two Ministers of State in that Department. It is not good enough that none of the three could be available this morning for what is an extremely urgent issue. Normally, I would refuse to accept this debate, but, sadly, the farmers, their families and others in the Shannon Callows do not have the luxury of waiting for one of the three ministerial diaries to open up.

I am seeking to address a matter of the utmost urgency, one that is of importance to the farmers in the Shannon and Suck Callows, namely, the need to revise the compensation scheme for those affected by flooding in recent months. This issue, as we are all painfully aware, is not just one of financial compensation, but one that strikes at the very heart of our rural communities and their sustainability. The Shannon Callows, a region known for its rich agricultural heritage, has been devastated by unprecedented flooding. This has resulted in a significant loss of fodder and grazing, impacting more than 300 farmers directly. The current compensation scheme, which promises €325 per hectare, is a step in the right direction, but its execution and scope raise critical concerns.

The situation on the ground is dire. Our farmers have lost approximately 7,000 acres of meadow and 7,000 acres of grazing land. This flood began on St. Patrick’s Day and continued well into the summer. It has not only destroyed crops, but also forced farmers to use their silage grounds for grazing, leaving them without fodder. This crisis is not just about compensating them for the loss of fodder, but recognising the cascading effect of this disaster on the overall agricultural productivity and mental well-being of our farmers and their families. While the package being delivered is commendable, it overlooks critical aspects, applies a limitation of 15 ha, and lacks consideration of the loss of grazing lands. Our farmers did not just lose their meadows; they lost valuable grazing time, which is crucial for their cattle. This cannot be overlooked.

The delay in issuing payments is alarming. The farmers of the Shannon Callows have been grappling with one of the longest summer floods in living memory. Their resilience is commendable but their patience and resources are wearing thin. It was initially indicated that payments would commence in December but we are now facing the possibility that they will not be issued until 2024. This delay is potentially devastating for farmers who are relying on this support to sustain their livelihoods and families. Moreover, the method of identifying affected farmers through satellite mapping, while innovative, has inadvertently excluded those along the River Suck and Little Brosna tributaries. It is imperative that any farmer who has suffered due to flooding, be it on the Shannon itself or on the backflow of waters on the tributaries, receive support. The current count of 230 farmers affected, as highlighted by the Save Our Shannon Organisation, is a gross underestimation.

By overlooking those affected by tributary flooding, we risk leaving many farm families in dire straits this Christmas. I urge the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to look again at the compensation scheme for farmers in the Shannon Callows and to ensure they get adequate compensation, including those on the Little Brosna and the River Suck.

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