Seán Canney: Support package was shaped by weeks of talks
Seán Canney explains that the farmer support package and transport measures were the product of ongoing discussions with farming organisations and representative groups. He says the proposals were developed on Good Friday and the following Tuesday, before the protest that followed.
Background and timing
Seán Canney details meetings involving Ministers Noel Grealish, Michael Healy-Rae, Tim O'Dooley, Martin Heydon and Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien with farming organisations and transport representatives. He underlines that the current support package is the outcome of those discussions and was in place prior to the protest.
Ongoing engagement with stakeholders
Canney stresses that ministers and officials have met stakeholders repeatedly since the crisis began, monitoring global developments and their effects on the sector. He emphasizes continuous dialogue with representative groups to understand industry problems and craft responses.
Government role and coherence
Canney argues that the government is acting to make a difference, not for show, and that the measures announced reflect a sustained body of work carried out weekly since the crisis emerged. He urges recognition of the week-by-week effort behind the support package and the coordinated work across ministers.
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Just to put on the record that Minister Noel Grealish, Minister Michael Healy-Rae, along with Minister Tim O'Dooley and Minister Martin Hayden were in discussions yesterday and Friday and on previous occasions with all of the farming organisations to bring about the support package that we have in place now. We have contributed as well, not just supporting, we've contributed to making sure that the package is there. And with transport, I just want to get this clear as well, with transport Minister Dara O'Brien and I have met with the various representative groups on an ongoing basis since this crisis first began. The proposals which we have come up with now have been as a result of discussions we had on Good Friday and on the following Tuesday before this protest broke out. So I want to make it clear that we, and as we said, we continue to monitor what is going on in the world and what effects it have on us and we're continuously discussing with the stakeholders to make sure that we're on top of what's happening and making sure that we understand the problems that are in the industry. And I think what is reflective on what we are announcing today is that particular body of work which has been going on every week since this crisis arose and I think that cannot be lost on anybody. And as regards support, we're in government, we're not in government just for the fun of it, we're in here to make a difference and to make sure that this government which is working very coherently continues to do that in the face of all the challenges we have externally and geopolitically and we will continue to do that. you
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