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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Jun 1993

Vol. 433 No. 1

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Flood Damage to Crops.

Alan M. Dukes

Question:

11 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his Department, or any of the agencies under his aegis, have assessed the damage done by the recent heavy rains to the harvesting of winter feed, to cereal crops and to root crops; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael McDowell

Question:

91 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will consider some financial help for vegetable growers whose crops have been destroyed by the recent flooding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

95 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he has received from Teagasc or other agencies details of crop damage caused during recent downpours; if he has received costings; if he has sought, or intends to seek EC funding to assist in cases of uninsurable loss; if he will undertake a comprehensive review of the total damage caused throughout the country with the objective of assisting those most seriously affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

186 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he has received any details from Teagasc in County Kildare of crop damage following recent flooding; if he intends to have the entire scale of the damage evaluated with a view to relief by way of EC disaster or alternative funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

215 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has sought or will seek details of crop damage throughout the country following recent floods; if he has estimated the total cost of the damage; if not, if he will so do; if he anticipates any means whereby compensation can be made available in respect of uninsurable perishables; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

216 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the severe damage caused by recent flooding at Johnstown Garden Centre, Naas, County Kildare; if his attention has further been drawn to the value of uninsured stock destroyed; if he will make available to such cases special disaster funding or other means whereby stock can be replaced in order that future commitments can be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

217 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the way in which he will assist those most severely affected by recent flooding, with particular reference to the potato crop and the horticultural sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

218 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he can estimate the cost of damage to the agricultural or horticultural sector following recent flooding; the way in which he intends to offer assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 91, 95, 186, 215, 216, 217 and 218 together.

I appreciate and am concerned by the difficulties of growers who have suffered crop damage in recent weeks. Officials of my Department, in conjunction with officials of other agencies involved, are closely monitoring crop damage in all areas affected with a view to preparing a comprehensive report.

For technical reasons it is not yet possible to assess accurately the long term effects of the damage caused. There are currently no funds available to my Department out of which assistance could be provided but, as I have said, I am keeping the situation under review.

Is the Minister aware that in the Dublin area alone, in the four weeks from 24 May to 20 June, rainfall was four and a half times the normal level, that over the whole area of Leinster rainfall for those four weeks was between three and four times the normal level, and that for the rest of the midlands and Ulster rainfall was one and a half times the normal level? Would the Minister not now conclude that, in view of those figures alone, serious damage has been done to winter feed, to cereal and to root crops? Will he take steps to see what can be done to rectify this situation?

I am concerned about the situation. I am having an assessment carried out by officials of the Department and Teagasc. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Shea met the IFA and the horticultural group to discuss the extent of any damage caused. When we know, technically and scientifically, the extent of the damage we can see what measures can be taken.

What more technical and scientific information does the Minister require? Is the Minister not aware that over most of Leinster first-cut silage this year has been destroyed, that for most of that area it will not be possible to replace that crop and it will be difficult even to take a later cut this year? Will the Minister consider taking some steps, such as those taken in 1985, at least to help people with the problem of winter feeding?

Deputy Dukes is exaggerating the position with regard to first-cut silage.

No, I am not.

It was cut under difficult conditions.

It is lying in the fields still.

I asked Teagasc to be of the greatest assistance possible to farmers. They advised farmers to use additional additives and the vast bulk of that crop was saved. Due to the fine spell of weather in the past week, the vast bulk of the second crop has been saved.

That is nonsense. The Minister is totally out of touch.

I am not claiming any credit for the good weather.

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