Press Statement
“Threats and instability in agriculture sector demand Dáil recall,” Rural Independent Group
30-08-2019
As members of the Dáil Rural Independent Group, we have observed with increasing alarm the developments in the United Kingdom with respect to Brexit and in particular the decision by Prime Minister Johnson to prorogue parliament from mid-September to mid-October.
This has clearly escalated the possibility of a hard Brexit emerging, with all that this adversely entails for the economy of rural Ireland; dependent as it is on the viability of the agri-sector.
Running parallel to these international developments has of course been the ongoing crisis within our own indigenous beef and suckler sector.
We have noted with deep frustration the failure of the recent beef talks to establish meaningful pricing justice and the de facto re-emergence of an unjust balance of power between farmers and processors/retailers.
The majority of farmers we have engaged with had hoped that a system of equitable and transparent accountability would be put in place as a minimum condition for their survival.
This has not happened.
It is for these reasons, which constitute a grave and potentially permanent disruption to the rural agri-sector, that we are calling for the immediate end to the Dáil recess.
Full and immediate use must be made of the Dáil and Committee system in order to advance the current situation.
We ask all members of both the Dáil and Seanad to give this matter their urgent consideration.”
The Rural Independent Group.
Mattie McGrath TD
Michael Collins TD
Michael Healy- Rae TD
Danny Healy-Rae TD
Michael Harty TD
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