Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate my call for an urgent debate on the farming crisis. While I acknowledge that the Deputy Leader is a very capable lady and a Trinity graduate, I must not allow her to forget her roots in Baile na Gallda, Crookstown, in west Cork, where she comes from farming stock. As I said yesterday, many farmers are disillusioned and there is much despair and depression. I am not here today to point the finger of blame at the Minister, Deputy Coveney, or the troika or the banks because the Minister is not to blame for the weather. However, because the situation is so serious it demands an urgent response. A precedent was set by the previous Government in 2009 when money was provided on a short-term basis for those in difficulties during the fodder crisis. Farmers are currently being billed for the property tax. They look out their windows and in some instances the cattle and sheep are staggering around the fields with starvation. The supply of credit from the banks is very tight and many farmers are unable to get extra allowances from the providers of foodstuffs such as bags of nuts and other animal feed. It is a very serious issue. I am pleading from my heart rather than making a political point.

I will propose an amendment to the Order of Business that this matter be debated. The Leader said yesterday that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, may come to the House in two or three weeks' time. However, in two or three weeks' time, it will be too late for many farmers. The situation is very serious. Their livestock are in a desperate state because they are starving in many instances. I pity the farmers. It has been a terrible winter and March has been the worst on record. Last year was so inclement and many farmers did not have the necessary fodder provisions to tide over the winter.

I appeal for an urgent debate with a heavy heart. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that we have a debate this evening and that the Minister or some other Minister with a knowledge of farming come to the House.