89. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commit to developing and implementing a comprehensive resilience and recovery plan now to ensure that rural and agricultural communities are protected when the next major storm occurs (details supplied). [55112/25]

Sentiment score: 0.28

Storm Éowyn exposed significant vulnerabilities in our national preparedness and recovery systems. Rural Irish communities endured prolonged power and communications outages while many small family-run farms were excluded from State supports due to restrictive eligibility criteria. We cannot continue to respond reactively to such crises. Will the Minister commit to developing and implementing a comprehensive resilience and recovery plan now to ensure rural and agricultural communities are protected when the next major storm event happens?

Sentiment score: 0.21

I appreciate the Minister’s response in regard to horticulture, but I want to return to the reality facing many small farmers after Storm Éowyn. These people are on modest incomes, with nothing in reserve, yet they are central to food production and rural life. Many of them suffered genuine damage, including polytunnels torn apart and crops lost, yet they could not insure those structures, nor did they qualify for many State supports. They were effectively left to rebuild on their own despite being among the most vulnerable in the agriculture sector. I am asking that future recovery and resilience planning explicitly include smaller family farms to ensure that when the next storm hits, they are not left behind. Can we have targeted supports for horticulture in particular and a dedicated mechanism that recognises and protects these vital small producers who keep our rural communities alive? I welcome what the Minister said in this regard. He is thinking along the same lines.

Sentiment score: 0.18

I appreciate the support. I might, in the future, talk to the Minister about this outside the Chamber. I thank him.

Sentiment score: 0.34