Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for his response. I need to explain to him about the knackeries that the dead animals are on the ground, so there is no point in talking about strict environmental rules. Sadly, they are fallen animals that have died over the last two weeks. There is an ongoing dispute that the Minister has not personally intervened in which he has to personally intervene in. There is stress and environmental fallout from having a fallen animal. I listened to the Tánaiste's response and I do not think he realises the crisis that is going on with these farmers. I just mentioned five of them and I do not see any solution. The knackery issue with the dead animals stays unresolved. Farmers losing 44% of their income due to the ICBF's incompetence remains unresolved. The Tánaiste said that some farmers are being paid under ACRES but most will not be paid until February. The is a rumour that it might be March or April for some of them. That is a hammer blow to some farmers. The movement on the nitrates is stuck.

The Tánaiste might have gone down but he would want to go back to meet the farmers at Timoleague, Kilbrittain and Ballyroe, because there is absolute fury that there is no movement and there has been no chance of a compensation package for at least the beginning of this year, if not any other time. The Tánaiste did not speak about the VAT issue, which would stop any future investment in farms which need urgent action. What is going to happen with these critical issues, as farmers are furious with the Government's inaction that is putting their livelihoods at risk?

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