Results 461-480 of 595 for speaker:William Aird
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: The guests are all very welcome. I am aware that they were here a while ago. I attended a meeting at Killashee Hotel at which there were nearly 1,000 people. It was the biggest gathering I had seen in years. Years ago, I went to a beet meeting, but do you know what happened with the beet? It was all sold out of this country. This prompted me to raise it here at our last meeting. I am...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: The members are taking up my time. I did not interfere with others and never do. My point is that we-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: I am; I am telling them. I am not questioning anybody. We know where they are coming from. These lads do not need to be questioned; these lads want to hear we are supporting them. That is what they want, and I am supporting them 110%. The bottom line is that I want to make sure the money promised by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is now given as extra money. I do not want to see TAMS or...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: Do not do not play politics with something that is as serious as this.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: That is what I am asking.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: I thought I had Deputy Cleere on board, but I obviously did not. There is a lot of grain in Kilkenny.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: I go to the mart in Cillin Hill. A lot of grain farmers have gone out of business.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: They have gone into grain and the Deputy knows that.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: Of course. I have my six minutes. I make the point that we want to be very clear here today. I do not have to ask the witnesses questions. I asked questions a fortnight ago and I know all of the answers. We want to ensure that, as politicians elected by the people, we adhere to the election manifestoes that both Deputy Cleere and I bought in to. Deputy Cleere bought in to a manifesto...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: So is the Deputy's brother.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: Do they come up in the same car?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: I propose that the members who did not get an opportunity to contribute [last time be given the opportunity to speak first.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: I welcome the witnesses. Earlier a group was before the committee pleading with us for ring-fenced money for five years for the tillage sector. They were looking for that in advance of the budget and they were here because they are in a very serious situation. I do not think the witnesses have answered the question given that they say the area will be increased to 400,000 ha but I...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: This year?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: It is now October. Does Ms Byrne think that is progress?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: How is the Department going to stop people going out of tillage? I know three people leaving tillage. They are finished after this year. Does the Department realise the reality? The witnesses have said that the bigger person is getting bigger. The only way I know this is because when farms come up for sale, if they are not bought by dairy farmers, they are bought by the likes of Coolmore...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: I am not blaming the witnesses individually. I am just giving them the facts. Please read the history of agriculture.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: He is in government too.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: The Deputy and his brother are part of the Government.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Challenges Facing the Tillage Industry: Discussion (1 Oct 2025)
William Aird: If the Chair has a second, can I ask one question very quickly? It is not even a question.