Agriculture support response
The Leader thanks several Senators for raising agricultural problems and says the Minister is meeting stakeholders with a view to considering support measures.
The Leader is absolutely wrong. He should check the facts.
Comment on this
The issue of agriculture has correctly dominated this afternoon's proceedings. I thank Senators Maura Hopkins, Tim Lombard, Maria Byrne, Kieran O'Donnell and Paul Daly for highlighting the importance of agriculture to the nation. The Minister, Deputy Michael Creed, is convening a meeting of stakeholders on 6 October with a view to considering all of the options.
As Senator Tim Lombard rightly said, it is an issue that affects all farmers, in particular grain farmers, from County Cork to County Donegal. I hope we will see some package being given to the farming community. The Commissioner, Mr. Hogan, is acutely aware of the issue and I know from speaking to him that he has been spoken to by many Members of the Oireachtas. As Senator Tim Lombard rightly said, this is about the volume and quality of the crop produced and the poor weather conditions. I think we all join him and the other Senators who have raised the issue. Aid should come from the European Union urgently.
Senator Paul Daly rightly made reference to the high cost of diesel and the need to recognise it in the budget. He is right when he states there is a crisis and a need to address the issue.
The farm is not as it was, a fact of which the Minister, Deputy Michael Creed, is acutely aware. Senator Kieran O'Donnell rightly referred to the cost being paid to the farmer for the food being produced. We need to see that issue being tackled. When we see some supermarkets being able to sell vegetables for 9 cent or offer meat or other produce at prices way below what one would expect to pay, I agree that it poses a question.
Like Senator Frank Feighan, Senator Terry Leyden also referred to Roscommon University Hospital. On the case of the two year old child, it is important that the Senator give any information he has to the Minister, the HSE and the hospital authorities in order that they address the issue. It is important that he does not play politics with people's lives and does not scare-monger-----