North Wexford TDs Clash Over Tillage Crisis

Tensions between two North Wexford TDs, Fianna Fail's Malcolm Byrne & Sinn Fein's Fionntáin O'Suilleabháin, have come to the fore as they clashed over agricultural policy and the current crisis facing Ireland’s tillage sector. In a heated discussion on todays Morning Mix both politicians voiced their strong disagreements over how best to address the struggles of tillage farmers in Wexford and beyond with particular focus on the lack of support for grain growers and the rising costs that threaten the viability of the industry. The conversation was prompted by the recent protests by grain farmers in the region, as they continue to demand greater governmental action on issues including rising input costs, imports of inferior grain and the overall lack of policy changes that would secure the future of the industry. Sinn Fein's Fíonntán Ó Súilleabháin didn’t hold back, arguing that the current system is failing Irish farmers. He called for immediate policy changes, including the implementation of higher payments for tillage farmers under area-based incentive schemes and an urgent focus on increasing the domestic use of Irish-grown grain. He specifically pointed out the absurdity of importing grain of poorer quality when Irish farmers are struggling to stay afloat. The Sinn Féin TD also expressed support for the protests carried out by Wexford farmers, including a blockade of a ship in Greenore Port, which was bringing in 300,000 tonnes of foreign barley. Ó Súilleabháin praised the efforts of those involved in the protests, saying that the actions of the farmers were a direct response to a policy failure by the government, which he described as neglectful of the Irish farming sector's needs. But the discussion took a sharp turn when Deputy Malcolm Byrne defended the government's record: "I have to be clear, I don't believe that Fíonntáin and his colleagues understand the real challenges facing farmers. It’s easy to criticize from the sidelines, but the reality is that the government is working on practical solutions to support the agricultural community, we’ve already seen measures such as the CAP funding for farmers and the roll-out of some very important schemes designed to help them in this difficult period." Deputy Byrne, who is in Brussels this week, expressed concern over what he called “anti-EU rhetoric” coming from some of Sinn Féin’s positions. He suggested that a more constructive and balanced approach to agriculture was needed — one that doesn’t ignore the importance of the European Union’s support and trade agreements. "I stand by the fact that our membership in the European Union has been critical in maintaining Ireland’s competitiveness in global markets and I believe that free trade is essential for the future of Irish agriculture," Byrne continued. "The solution here is not just about blocking foreign imports or opposing international trade agreements. It’s about improving the infrastructure and supports for Irish farmers, making sure they are competitive on both the domestic and international stage." The debate also touched on the wider implications for the Wexford economy. John Boiler Murphy, a local farmer who participated in the discussion and Nicky Keane Joint Vice Chair of the Irish Grain Growers Association & a farmer himself both highlighted the ripple effect that the decline of the tillage sector could have on local communities, saying that the closure of local farms would not only harm agricultural workers but also impact local businesses, machinery dealers, grain merchants and even educational institutions that rely on strong farming communities to survive. Listen back here to the full debate which also included Jer O'Mahoney from Wexford IFA