Independent TD Michael McNamara, highlights concentration of land ownership in South Co. Tipperary.
Independent TD Mr Michael McNamara has called on Dáil Éireann to set aside time for a discussion on the purchase of vast tracts of farmland in South Tipperary by Mr John Magnier and called for measures to combat further concentration of ownership.
The Independent TD for Co. Clare has expressed his concern that the accumulation of thousands of acres of land in the Golden Vale is leading to local farmers being priced out of land, at a time when the agriculture sector is already facing excessive operating costs.
Deputy McNamara said the situation reflects the ongoing, profound changes underway in rural Ireland regarding the acquisition of prime agricultural land by trust funds and the resultant negative consequences for the agriculture sector.
Addressing the Ceann Comhairle today, Deputy McNamara asked, “Will all of South Tipperary have to be owned by one man and trust funds linked to him, before the matter is debated in this house and measures are taken to prevent that concentration of land ownership, because of the economic and social consequences of that?”
Speaking during the Order of Business in Dail Éireann, the Independent TD added, “Just because one is a large donor to the parties in government should not preclude one from examination in this house.”
Following Deputy McNamara’s request, a vote on the Order of Business for this week was held and subsequently defeated by the government parties.
Sunshine amounts have been below average for most areas over the past number of weeks, while rainfall amounts have been well above average across the country. Currently, even all well drained and moderately drained soils are saturated, while all poorly drained soils are currently waterlogged.
The remainder of today (April 13th 2024) will remain dry, with rain sadly returning tomorrow afternoon and in the early part of Monday. However, from Tuesday and for the rest of next week, weather conditions will greatly improve, with no umbrellas or rain coats required.
So do cheer up, oh! and by the way, the swallows have been spotted in Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Five Feet High and Rising.
Lyrics: Johnny Cash. Vocals: The late American country singer-songwriter Johnny Cash(1932 – 2003).
How high’s the water, Mama? Two feet high and risin’. How high’s the water, Papa? She said it’s two feet high and risin’, We can make it to the road in a homemade boat, That’s the only thing we got left that’ll float, It’s already over all the wheat and the oats, Two feet high and risin’. How high’s the water, Mama? Three feet high and risin’. How high’s the water, Papa? She said it’s three feet high and risin’. Well, the hives are gone, I’ve lost my bees, The chickens are sleepin’, in the willow trees, Cow’s in water up past her knees Three feet high and risin’ How high’s the water, Mama? Four feet high and risin’. How high’s the water, Papa? She said it’s four feet high and risin’. Hey, come look through the window pane, The bus is comin’, gonna take us to the train, Looks like we’ll be blessed with a little more rain, Four feet high and risin’. How high’s the water, Mama? Five feet high and risin’. How high’s the water, Papa? She said it’s five feet high and risin’. Well, the rails are washed out north of town, We gotta head for higher ground, We can’t come back till the water goes down, Five feet high and risin’. Well, it’s five feet high and risin’. END.
Date: Saturday, 25 November 2023. Category 1: For Action. Alert Notification: 2023.32. Product Identification: Growers Harvest Garden Peas product details. Batch Code: See table shown below. Country Of Origin: Unknown?
Best BeforeDate
Batch Codes
Pack size
Jan-25
23196, 23197, 23198, 23199, 23200
900g
Feb-25
23237, 23238, 23239, 23240
900g
Mar-25
23256, 23257, 23258, 23259, 23260, 26261
900g
Apr-25
23275, 23276, 23277
900g
Message: Tesco, on the advice of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), are recalling the above batches of ‘Growers Harvest Garden Peas’, 900g, due to the possible contamination of an unknown type of berry, which may therefore pose a risk to customers, if consumed.
Action Required: Retailers: Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and displayrecall notices at point-of-sale. Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.
IFA Presidential candidate, Mr Francie Gorman has said the news that no cleared applicants will be paid until December 1st, is “shattering confidence” amongst farmers; in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s ability to administer schemes and pay them on time.
Last month, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine wrote to farmers stating that payments under various schemes, including ANC, BISS and ECO, would commence in the second half of October. However, the payment date has now been delayed by a further three weeks.
“Farmers have been informed today that no further cleared applicants will receive any payment until the start of next month,” said Gorman. “This is an unacceptable intrusion into the routine running of farmers’ businesses with commitments to be met at this time of the year, including payments to banks, merchants and Revenue. This shatters confidence in the Department’s ability to administer schemes and pay farmers on time.”
Mr Gorman continued, “Separately, I have learned that the Department has written to 46 farmers in Achill, County Mayo, to inform them that their farm payments are being suspended due to a burning issue that occurred on the island last May. This is a devastating blow to these farmers whose income has already been hammered in one of the most difficult years in recent memory.”
Two Tipperary Farming Families Featured Among Winners At 2023 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
Denis and Teresa Bergin, with their son David, who run their family farm in Kilbragh, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.
The Bergin family, (Who supply Centenerary Thurles Co-op), are from Kilbragh, Cashel were crowned the overall runner up at this year’s ceremony. Denis and Teresa Bergin, with their son David, run their family farm, supported by their son Keith and daughter Avril. David, a fifth-generation farmer, briefly pursued a career as a jockey before returning to his true passion, dairy farming. The farm is steeped in history, with the ruins of a 12th-century village standing proudly, preserving a piece of the past. An old church and village on the Bergins’ lane are also part of the farm’s heritage. The Bergin family preserve the historical buildings that surround them as well as maintaining the land itself. They also won the Environment category. The family’s love for the herd is obvious through their passionate care of their cows above all else. The Bergins exhibit fantastic family unity, often gathering around the kitchen table where everyone is involved in the decision making on the farm.
The Lonergan family from Drangan More, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
The Lonergan family, (Who supply Tipperary Co-op), are from Drangan More, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, won the Lowest Carbon Footprint Award. John Lonergan lives on the farm with his wife Martina and their daughter Cora. John has harboured a deep passion for farming since the age of 12 years, before officially taking the reins of their family farm as a 27 year old. John now hopes to pass the farm down to Cora, who shares an equal love for the land. Martina plays an integral role on the farm and the Lonergan’s close-knit relationship fosters a strong partnership between the three. Together, Martina and Cora stand as shining examples of the invaluable contributions of women in agriculture. The Lonergans have witnessed the transformative journey of farming, from the horse and trap era to embracing modern technologies.
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