It is the first week of July and an impending fodder crisis is facing the livestock sector. We had an extremely long, wet winter which exhausted all existing fodder supplies. Grass growth for the spring and early summer has been roughly 30% below average. We are heading into a crisis and the mental and financial pressure farmers are under cannot be overestimated. I stress, above all, the mental pressure. Unfortunately, we hear increasingly stories of the mental anguish farmers are suffering. Farming is a lonely profession. More than a year of the weather we are after having is causing huge difficulties. I urge the Taoiseach to ask the Minister for agriculture to convene the fodder group immediately and put plans in place to deal with the fodder crisis we will have next winter.

I know the Deputy's particular area of expertise in this area, both as a constituency TD and before his political life in this House. I take seriously what he says. This is a Government that will always support farmers. I am very conscious of how horrific the weather has been for them this year and the huge stress that has created. I have visited a number of farms with the Irish Farmers Association and others and I have seen the anguish etched on the faces of farmers. I will convey the Deputy's view to the Minister for agriculture on convening the fodder group and ask him to revert to the Deputy directly.