Sinn Féin yesterday introduced a motion calling on reforms to ANC payments to hill farmers. Fianna Fáil voted against it. This ANC Review is critical to hill farmers in Mayo and The West.
I wrote to party and group leaders last week seeking their agreement to an amendment to today’s Order of Business which would have allowed for a debate and a vote to take place on this important and urgently needed motion.
Last week, there were indications from Fianna Fáil that they were prepared to vote in favour of the motion as confirmed last week in a statement by deputies Charlie McConalogue and Éamon Ó Cuív.
Fianna Fáil claimed that, due to attendance at a meeting of the Agriculture Committee, they were unable to vote in favour of the motion last week. The timing of the motion today allowed for all Seanadóirí to be present as it will not clash with any meetings of the Agriculture Committee.
Today’s motion was a positive move by Sinn Féin which attempts to alleviate the dreadful position that hill and commonage farmers have been placed in over recent years. We want to effect real change in the lives of disadvantaged farmers and not engage in hysterics and party political manoeuvring.
Excuses from Fianna Fáil are nothing more than an attempt to cover up their own internal divisions regarding reform of ANC payments. They should stop being disingenuous to those affected farmers and state whether or not they will ever back such a motion.
