Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

People have been focusing on what the US President, Mr. Trump, and his Administration have been responsible for in recent days. They have talked about a lack of empathy and compassion. Yesterday was the 33rd anniversary of the death of Luke Kelly. When I think of someone who showed empathy, compassion and love for those who needed it, I think of Luke Kelly because he showed them in abundance. He reached the hearts of so many in this country and throughout the world. It is long past time that a statute was put up to his memory in this city. I posted a message on social media in recent days and never had a response like it. People really feel strongly about this issue. I call on the Leader to raise it with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Heather Humphreys, or whoever he believes is the relevant Minister. He should determine whether State funding is available and whether there is precedent for making it available. The answers could enable us to commence the process. I assume it would happen in partnership with Dublin City Council. Those involved would source a location and put up a statute to Luke Kelly.

The second issue I want to raise relates to delays in the making of GLAS and AEOS payments. Farmers have reached an agreement with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the Farmers' Charter of Rights 2015-2020. All of the farming organisations have been out protesting today. They have made the point that if any other payment in the State that is made as of right, for example, a social welfare payment or the old age pension, was one or two days late, it would not be tolerated. The matter would be sorted out, rightly so. The farmers affected have been waiting since October. The problem affects 9,000 farmers and the average payment involved is €4,000. Their farms are not sustainable without this money. The issue has been raised in the Chamber and we have been assured on numerous occasions that the matter will be resolved by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Michael Creed. I call on the Leader to ensure the moneys will be released to the 9,000 farmers affected as soon as possible in order that they can get on with the making of their livelihoods.