Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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372. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request dairy co-operators to organise a scheme for the purchase of generators by dairy farmers; his plans to provide low interest loans for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50850/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Following a challenging period, the dairy sector has experienced positive trends this year in terms of raw milk and specific commodity prices, particularly for butter. I am confident that, as market demand for safe, sustainable, high quality dairy products in expanding global markets increases, the Irish dairy sector, from the farm gate to the further reaches of the supply chain, will continue to grow and prosper.

I am very aware of the impact of Storm Ophelia, particularly of course the tragic loss of life. I would like to again pay tribute to the joined-up public service response, led by the National Emergency Coordination Group, including officials from my Department.

The main impact of the storm on the dairy sector was in terms of power outages. While this caused inconvenience and expense for some individual farmers, similar issues arose for small businesses across the country. ESB teams worked tirelessly to reconnect electricity supplies. Many farmers also benefitted from back up generators shared between neighbours and at co-op level.

This experience underlines the importance for dairy farmers to have a plan in place to access a back-up power supply in such circumstances.