NOT a single Government TD was present for a Dáil debate on the proposed national cow cull, according to Rural Independent County Limerick TD Richard O’Donoghue.
Deputy O’Donoghue takes the view that the absence of any Government TDs during the discussion has exposed a profound disregard for rural communities and the hard-working farmers who sustain them.
“Their silence speaks volumes and makes them complicit in the face of such blatant neglect,” the Rural Ireland Independent claimed.
“It is deeply troubling that not a single Government representative bothered to show up and support farmers during this vital debate. This indifference sends a distressing message to our farmers, who rely on their elected officials to listen and advocate for their interests.
“The absence of rural Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs, including from my own constituency of County Limerick, during the debate highlights a complete abandonment of their responsibilities towards rural Ireland. The Government’s prioritisation of green activist policies and their reluctance to address the concerns of farmers is alarming,” Deputy O’Donogue maintained.
Furthermore, he claimed that it was evident that Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and Minister of State Martin Heydon failed to familiarise themselves with the content of the motion, as their response seemed disconnected from reality.
“To be honest, the behaviour of both Ministers was pathetic. Their lack of commitment and disregard for the concerns of farmers is nothing short of a disgrace.
“The attempts by the Ministers to evade the issues raised in support of farmers are simply unacceptable. Genuine engagement, rather than dismissive rhetoric, is what farmers deserve.”
According to O’Donoghue, the national cow cull could be around 200,000, with upwards on 10,000 in County Limerick.
Minister McConalogue pointed out that the Government has not put forward any proposal to cull the national herd. However, he explained, that they have been engaging with farm organisations and all stakeholders on how to continue food production while reducing the emissions footprint of how the nation produces that food and achieve the 25 per cent target by 2030 in the agri-food sector, which will contribute to the overall 51 per cent reduction in the economy generally.
“We are working very closely with farm representative organisations in that regard. I will point out to Deputies that the farm representative organisations have said that we can meet that 25 per cent reduction and that they are up for doing it and want the Government to support them in doing so. The Government is fully committed to that and to working together to achieve it. We are working collaboratively in that regard,” he added.
