Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming before the House to facilitate this debate. I fully concur with the remarks of our spokesperson, Senator Mark Daly, and Senator Murnane O'Connor and the case they outlined, the notice of amendment to the motion which was made and the Sinn Féin amendment on the drainage scheme. That makes a very good point and would provide much help, especially in the Shannon Basin. There is a call from many of the areas within the Shannon Basin and also the Boyne Basin.

The whole rural community is suffering due to the somewhat unexpected, prolonged winter we have had and the heavy rains but we must also call into question the Government's inaction. I fully agree with the proposals outlined in my party's motion, including: to immediately bring forward a hardship fund to help small and medium-sized farmers who have been severely impacted by the fodder crisis and the lack of available fodder; the introduction of a meal voucher scheme for farmers affected - they are well known to all the Teagasc offices up and down the country and local IFA representatives; and to swiftly make available low cost credit for farmers, which would alleviate many of the immediate problems. Hopefully the next couple of weeks will see us over this bump. If one were to look outside today, it is hard to believe that land is as wet as it is. It was no one's intention that we would end up where we are but we must take measures. If there was another week of rain, we would be in a seriously bad position. There is no time like the present and it is time to act.