Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas don Seanadóir Mullen as ucht a chuid ama a roinnt liom agus gabhaim buíochas don Aire as ucht teacht isteach. Bíonn leithscéalta ag Airí eile nach dtagann isteach, ach tá an tAire féin chomh gnóthach le hAire ar bith eile, agus is iontach an rud go dtagann sé isteach chomh minic sin.

I will try not to go over ground covered. I know, having spoken to farmers in my area, that farmers are very distressed to see their animals weak and unwell. The thought of animals dying dwells on their minds. We know that in some parts of the country collection of dead animals has increased by up to 40%. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed that deaths of cattle aged 48 months and over increased by more than 60% between January and February this year compared with January and February 2012.

There is huge concern about how families are to keep going when there are no milk cheques coming in and they are finding it difficult to get credit from co-operatives. I noted what the Minister had to say about the banks, namely, that 50% of farms are debt free.