Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for raising this issue. As he knows, I am very much aware of the impact on agriculture of adverse weather during the winter of last year. I have taken action in a number of ways to support farmers, including direct supports for unharvested crops and other measures introduced through the national fodder and food security committee.

I particularly recognise the localised impact of storms on the Cooley Peninsula in October and November 2023. From 18 October to 2 November, Ireland was subjected to two back-to-back storms. The latter storm saw high winds and unprecedented rainfall on already saturated ground, which resulted in a landslide and localised flooding on the Cooley Peninsula.

I asked Teagasc to survey the peninsula. This work identified the area damaged from the landslide and flooding, the result of which saw large deposits of rock, gravel and debris on agricultural lands, in addition to loss and damage to fencing, stored fodder and fertiliser supplies.

In recognition of the difficulties arising from this severe weather event, I have charged my Department with providing financial aid to assist with restoring these agricultural lands to their pre-storm condition. My Department will now engage directly with those affected to assist in applying for financial support. It is envisaged this engagement will take place in the coming weeks. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. He has raised it with me on a number of occasions. Senator McGreehan has been working very closely with me on this matter from the outset in making sure a scheme could be progressed and I am glad we have got it to the stage it is at.

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