Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At the outset, I wish the Cathaoirleach and everyone a happy and productive new year. While the gloss and glow from the halo of Members' referendum success still glows brightly, my wish is that they should be productive and work together to ensure this House will be a stronger place by this time next year. Can the Leader apprise Members as to when he hopes to have a debate on rural development or redevelopment? Second, I refer to an issue I have raised a number of times previously. As fresh announcements have been made by the Minister, Deputy Coveney, when is it likely that Members will have a debate on the issue of CAP reform and Pillar 1 and Pillar 2? The Leader might try to facilitate an early debate on this subject.

My major concern this afternoon is the plight of those farming communities, particularly in disadvantaged areas, in which, instead of Santa Claus coming for Christmas, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, or someone within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has taken huge amounts of money from disadvantaged farmers under the single farm payment scheme. In many instances, the cuts amounted to as much as €5,000 or €6,000. These amounts are substantial for these farmers and the cuts were unilateral, unjust and unfair. Moreover, no notice whatsoever was given. On Monday night, I attended a public meeting in Bantry, chaired by a Sinn Féin candidate, to which 500 farmers turned up. Many of these disheartened farmers were expecting the payments before Christmas as they usually were made between October and December. This was money that was needed to pay the feed suppliers, the credit unions and the banks for money the farmers had borrowed during the appallingly difficult spring of last year after a very long winter which lasted until the end of May. Lo and behold, they got their cheques. Some of them received no cheques while others received cheques reflecting a cut of 30% to 40% to what they were entitled to or deserved. It is an appalling scenario.

As some of the people who attended this meeting were from south Kerry, I note this is widespread in counties Cork and Kerry. I am unsure whether it is widespread throughout the western counties and the north west. However, this is such a severe cut that it will do huge environmental damage. It is not so long since farmers were encouraged to keep their furze breaks, to keep the land preserved for the corncrakes, the birds and the bees and to protect the fauna. However, what will happen next spring when burning is allowed on farmland during the month of March? Incidentally, the period allowed is very short; in Northern Ireland, the burning season lasts until mid-April. Farmers, to compensate for lands that have been taken away from them, will take out their matches and burn all around them. They will take out their diggers and dig away scrub and areas that should be there for preservation. Were Éamon de Buitléar alive, what is happening would have him turning in his grave. It is a serious situation as approximately €50 million has been taken out of the rural economy as a result of these cutbacks.