The Department has given funding for transport to address the fodder crisis which has put farmers under pressure. We need to do more. We need to come up with a voucher scheme because farmers, certainly those in the north west who are on marginal land, are really feeling the pain and we need to assist them as quickly as possible.

I am happy that we have a number of hours in the House this afternoon for statements on weather-related supports for farmers throughout the country. I am mindful of the desperate plight of farmers during a very difficult winter and spring. The initial fodder support we have put in place through our co-operative system is to support the movement of fodder that is in the country from areas where there is more to areas where there is less to make sure that all can manage. As the weather improves, we will continue to monitor the sector and all areas of agriculture, not just livestock but also the tillage sector, which is also struggling. We will discuss that in more detail this afternoon. I take Deputy Feighan’s points on board and will bring them back to the Department.