Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to be associated with the tributes to the late Donal Walsh. He was an inspirational young man and the point made by Senator MacSharry is very important, in that the very good policy document he prepared should be debated in this House. Moreover, there is plenty of time available in this House and it would be recognition of what Donal Walsh has done. He has been most inspirational and his parents should be proud of him, as should his sister and the whole community in County Kerry, because he has led a campaign that was more effective than all the advertisements issued by any Department or adult because as a teenager, he advocated living one's life and stated that suicide was no solution to any problem a young person might have. I believe this affords Members a great opportunity to express their sincere sympathy to the family. I acknowledge there are rules in this regard but this is an exceptional situation. He raised money for Crumlin children's hospital and certainly used each minute of his 16 years effectively. He will be remembered when many are forgotten in this world but I do not believe the name of Donal Walsh ever will be forgotten because of what he already has contributed.

I also supports Senator Comiskey's call with regard to the fodder crisis. It is not over and 143,000 cattle have died since the beginning of the year. A farmer contacted Connacht Gold's operation in Athleague yesterday and found there is a waiting list for fodder at present. Farmers are in dire straits and there has been enormous psychological pressure on farmers in this regard. I reiterate a comment I made previously that the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, has let down the farming community. He has neglected his role as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and frankly, compared with previous Ministers-----