Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The issue of agriculture has correctly dominated this afternoon's proceedings. I thank Senators Hopkins, Lombard, Byrne, O'Donnell and Daly for raising the importance of agriculture to the nation. The Minister, Deputy Creed, is convening a meeting of stakeholders on 6 October with a view to considering all the options.As Senator Lombard rightly said, it is an issue that affects all farmers, in particular our grain farmers, from Cork to Donegal. I hope we will see some type of package being given to our farming community. The Commissioner, Mr. Hogan, is acutely aware of the issue. I know from speaking to him that he has been spoken to by many Members of the Oireachtas. As Senator Lombard rightly said, this is about the moisture, the volume of the crop, the quality of the crop and the poor weather. I think all of us in the House will join with him and other Senators who have raised the issue. There should be urgent aid coming from Europe.

Senator Daly rightly made reference to the high cost of diesel and the need for some recognition of it in the budget. I hope we do not just raise the cost of diesel. The Senator is right when he states that there is a crisis and an issue to be addressed. The farm is not as it was, but the Minister, Deputy Creed, is acutely aware of that fact. Senator Kieran O'Donnell rightly raised the issue of the cost being paid to the farmer for the food being produced. We need to see that issue tackled. When one sees some supermarkets being able to sell vegetables for 9 cent or being able to offer meat or other produce for prices way below what one would expect to pay, I agree that it poses a question.

As did Senator Feighan, Senator Leyden raised the issue of Roscommon University Hospital. On the issue Senator Leyden raised about the two-year-old child, it is important that he would give any information he has to the Minister, the HSE or the hospital authorities so they could address it. It is important that he does not play politics with people's lives and come in here scare-mongering-----