Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----I wish to ask the Leader of the House, Senator Cummins, who is my colleague on the Labour Panel, to request the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, to come into this House to consider this morning's protest by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association at the offices of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Golf Links Road, Roscommon. The protest was attended by a number of people because there is great concern that the front desk will be closed and transferred to Naas, where all queries regarding TB and other issues that arises in respect of the services will be dealt with. These services are invaluable to the farmers of County Roscommon and surrounding areas and include, for instance, paperwork for EU payments, animal passports, issues relating to TB testing and so on. There is no substitute for face-to-face contact in these matters as the help of experienced local staff is invaluable and often can prevent small issues escalating into big problems.

I strongly believe the downgrading of this busy and effective service would have negative consequences for the farming community of County Roscommon and urge the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to maintain the facility at its current level. I also appeal to the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, to get involved in this campaign and to use its powers and exert its influence. The farming community contributes more to the IFA than to the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association and the former should use its clout to prevent a downgrading of services.

If the Minister is not available, the Leader should get the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, to come into the House to consider the blow to the people of north County Roscommon on the announcement this morning that the Garda headquarters in Boyle, County Roscommon will be closed between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.