Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will amend the remarks. They are quotes on the Internet to which I will not refer further. However, the point I am trying to make is a valid one. Anyone with a political understanding of what is happening in the country will realise that the Garda is being treated with contempt. The people who defend the State, our elderly and young and prevent crime are being treated with contempt. Garda cars in my constituency have done more than 300,000 km and are being taken off the road. Gardaí do not have transportation to investigate crime. The Minister is treating the country with contempt. Not only is he being arrogant in his defence and justice portfolios, he is treating the safety of the nation with contempt. I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Wilson that the Minister should come to the House to explain the rationale behind some of his decisions.

I support the raising of the fodder crisis. It is a major issue which received all-party support at the meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine this morning. The problem is one for farmers west of a line between Donegal to Waterford. Many animals are dying as a result. People are charging up to €78 for a bale of silage and the crisis is escalating. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine must address the crisis immediately and support farmers. It is now an animal welfare issue, which is a subject on which the Minister recently came to the House to process legislation. He must live up to the legislation he brought before the House.