Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 4

Adjournment Debate. - Cooley (Louth) Peninsula.

Mr. Kirk

I am grateful for the opportunity to deal briefly with the economic position in the Cooley Peninsula. A case of foot and mouth disease was confirmed in the area a number of weeks ago which resulted in a complete cull of the sheep population in the area. A significant percentage of the farming population is very dependent on the income it derives from sheep production. As a consequence, many farmers, especially those employed on a full-time basis, have found themselves dependent on farm assist or forced to seek alternative employment outside their normal role of working on sheep farms in the area. Adjusting to alternative employment for those who have spent their entire working lives on a farm, especially one on the hillsides, is not easy.

The issue of the repopulation of the area is being considered. While it may be early days, it is no harm for preliminary work to commence on the plans and strategy for repopulation. A task force is in place embracing various interests in the industry which will plan that strategy and implement it over a number of years. The greatest cause for concern is the serious loss of income. There will be no cashflow on many of the farms concerned. It is reasonable to assume the repopulation process will take a period of years as opposed to weeks or months. As a consequence, the problem will be with us into the foreseeable future.

Many farmers who have reached their mid-50s will be examining the potential offered to them by the revamped early retirement from farming scheme. I hope they can combine it with the installation aid scheme to allow sons or daughters or, perhaps, nephews or nieces to commence farming and derive the financial support available under both those headings.

In many other areas throughout the country the availability of initiatives under the general heading of rural development has been very worthwhile. While the county enterprise board and other agencies in Louth have actively encouraged investment in small and medium-sized enterprises, a point has been reached where there is a need to accelerate the efforts in the Cooley Peninsula. The population there will be interested to hear what the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Cuív, has to say. It is fortunate he has responsibility for rural development. There are strong similarities in the geography and economic structure of the Cooley Peninsula and the area of west Galway he represents. I will be delighted to hear from him. I invite him to visit the Cooley area to see the practical problems and difficulties there.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Éamon Ó Cuív)

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghlacadh leis an Teachta as ucht an cheist seo a thógaint sa Dáil mar is dóigh liom gur cheist fíor-thábhachtach é. At the outset, I pay tribute to the great public effort displayed by all sections of the economy and society in keeping foot and mouth disease to one outbreak in the country. The potential of this disease to cause havoc to our agriculture and food industries has become clear to all from the pictures on television screens in recent weeks. While we are endeavouring to facilitate trading in susceptible animals under strict controls, we need to keep uppermost that foot and mouth disease is still a real threat and we have to remain extremely vigilant for a considerable time into the future.

The people of the Cooley Peninsula have been through an horrendous experience. The farmers have experienced the reality of the culling of their herds. My Department addressed the immediate situation through the establishment of the control centre at Ballymascanlon. There, farmers were able to meet officials directly and quickly about compensation and other arrangements applicable to their circumstances. Farmers have acknowledged the very beneficial support and comfort derived from having a key Department presence on the doorstep and operating around the clock.

One of the critical matters yet to be resolved is the question of restocking of farms in County Louth. This must be handled in a phased and controlled manner having regard to the attendant risks. No one will thank us for rushing into a relaxation of restrictions if the consequence is another case of foot and mouth disease, a re-establishment of surveillance and protection zones and a reversal of the tremendous progress made over the past several weeks with the assistance of the people of County Louth and the public generally.

My Department is examining this aspect, taking account of the differing risks in infected premises and in those associated with them, in commonages, lowland farms into which sheep were moved from the commonages and other lowland farms in the area. I am not yet in a position to provide indicative dates for restocking. This process will be carefully managed on the basis of the best veterinary advice, taking into account the residual risks and balancing the genuine need for the people of County Louth to get back to business with the danger of putting at risk the sacrifices made in recent weeks, not just by the people of County Louth but by all people, through any ill-thought out and precipitate restocking strategy.

Teagasc, the farm organisations in Louth, and bodies such as Louth Leader continue to apply their resources to supporting and assisting farmers and others in the area. Other Departments and agencies have played their part in bringing helpful and practical information to the attention of farmers and those whose employment has been affected, including the various sources and types of payments potentially available.

I acknowledge the work of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs in establishing the interdepartmental task force on foot and mouth disease in County Louth. The task force membership also included representatives of local bodies, including the county council, the county enterprise board and Louth Leader. At its meeting on 25 April 2001, the Government noted the report of the task force describing the impact of the crisis in the area, especially in the farming, tourism and trading sectors, and agreed to continue to address urgently the issues raised in the report which are within the remits of a number of Departments. The Government endorsed the proposal to establish a monitoring committee to co-ordinate the follow-up of the task force recommendations at local level under the auspices of Louth local authorities, taking advantage of their strong working relationship with local public service providers and their close contact with the communities in the county which are most affected.

I realise the foot and mouth disease outbreak has affected all the population of the Cooley Peninsula. As Minister with responsibility for rural development, I am examining ways to ensure rapid economic and social regeneration of this area and I hope to be able to make an announcement in this regard in the near future. I will take up the Deputy's kind invitation to visit the Cooley Peninsula. I will do that when I have clarified the steps to be taken. It would be important when making such a visit that the type of assistance to be given to the area would be known. Every area has suffered from this crisis in one way or another but the Cooley Peninsula, a rural and geographically isolated community, has suffered more than most. Special steps must taken to regenerate farming in the area and to help the whole community to regenerate itself in the aftermath of the outbreak.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an cheist seo a chur. Glacfaidh mé lena chuireadh dul ar cuairt go dtí an ceantar.