Ash dieback compensation package
Senator Boyhan cautiously welcomed the €79.5 million ash dieback package but said it was insufficient and urged action for those facing huge tree-felling costs. A brief interruption and his own follow-up were absorbed into the same item.
I raise the issue of ash dieback and the €79.5 million package for farmers that has been announced by the Government. I cautiously welcome the package, and I will explain why in a moment. The package represents a significant change of heart on the part of the Government, which originally did not want offer a package in respect of ash dieback, a matter that has been raised many times in this House and in the Dáil. Clearly, the stage of the electoral cycle we are at has helped to progress the package at this point. We have the upcoming the local and European elections and a general election will be held in a matter of months, so political leverage has been used. We know that people are getting in the neck, particularly in rural constituencies. I travelled to a number of them-----
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I particularly welcome it. Canvassing and reconnecting with the people on the doorsteps are working. This is democracy at work.
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Senator Kyne is a long-standing Member of the Oireachtas. He had his opportunity. Let Senator Boyhan speak without interruption please.
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Senator Kyne is keen on green issues this afternoon. It is about time. This is democracy at work. People in rural constituencies are giving it to politicians in the neck, so well done. The devastation caused by this fungus has a major impact on the incomes of pension funds, investors, farmers and foresters. That is why I cautiously welcome the package. Quite frankly, it is not enough. A farmer and county councillor from County Roscommon wrote to me today to say that he got a price of €3,000 to cut down one tree. These people are not covered in the case.
I thank the Leader for arranging the debate on Lough Funshinagh. I had the opportunity to meet many people at Lough Funshinagh on Sunday. The Leader also had the opportunity to do so last week, and people spoke highly of her and of the Minister. They thank the Leader for getting her feet into boots, as I did, and walking the ground and meeting the people. I thank the Leader for facilitating that debate this afternoon. I will elaborate more on the matter of my visit to Lough Funshinagh during the debate.