Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate and understand all of that, but a particular situation obtains in many parts of the country at present. Many farmers have been in contact with me - I am sure they have been in contact with the Minister's office - regarding the difficulties they have had in getting their slurry out because of the particularly wet summer and as a result of the situation they find themselves in whereby they will soon have to bring their cattle back in. Their slurry tanks are still practically full. If they can go to the Department and plead exceptional circumstances in that regard, that is fair enough.

I take the Minister's point that it is not good practice to put nutrients on the soil at this time of year, particularly if we get harsher weather that leads to grass not growing and the nutrients just sitting there. We all understand that. On the other hand, people cannot simply leave slurry in their slatted sheds. What will happen in such circumstances? The cattle have to go somewhere. It is about finding a balance.

We are in a situation where we have had good weather for a couple of weeks. The ground has dried out a little and we will probably have growth a little later because of the way the weather patterns are looking. Obviously, there is an opportunity for farmers, who are operating in difficult circumstances, to spread their slurry. They should be allowed to do that because that is the only way they can manage. Otherwise, what will they do when they have to bring their cattle back in?

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