Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator Mark Daly's amendment. On the coverage of the Seanad generally, several years ago I suggested the Leader invite the editors of the main media outlets and whoever was responsible for editorial content in RTE for a chat to find out if they might choose to cover the House with a degree of frequency and consistency for a certain period every night. Coverage is sporadic and the House is sometimes not covered at all when we debate important issues, not least of which was the motion on pylons yesterday evening.

I support Senator Michael Mullins in his call for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to come to the House to discuss the issue of inspections. In the west and north west, where small holdings are dependent on single farm payments and disadvantaged area payments to pay critical bills, these moneys are required. Inspectors in ivory towers are going about their business in a way that is holding back critical funds from farm families. Something must be done in this regard.