For the past two days there have been 3,200 bales of hay in Cherbourg. Only 120 bales have come in. There is a serious crisis. I am aware that animals are dying of hunger.

The Deputy should table a question on that.

This is very pertinent because there is no other way I can raise this today. Animals are dying of hunger. Can anything be done to speed up the importation of fodder?

Where is the ship the Minister promised to bring the food?

This was raised yesterday in the Dáil.

Cattle are dying at the moment.

And sheep.

There is a solidarity fund in Europe. Can the solidarity fund be accessed to help people who are in dire straits?

That is not on the Order of Business.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, has reported to the House on a number of occasions on this issue and has taken very strong action to deal with the fodder crisis. He is very much aware of the distress the crisis is causing to animals and farmers.

Where is the ship he promised to bring in the food?

There is a 24-hour line in place and I am sure he would be quite happy to answer any direct question Deputy Martin Ferris has on the issue.

The telephone will not feed the cows.

He promised a ship to bring in the food.