“It is a myth – misinformation – that the budget for agriculture was cut. It was not cut.”
Those were the words of Fianna Fáil senator, Eugene Murphy, as he reacted to some “myths and arguments” arising from Tuesday’s Budget 2022 announcement.
When addressing the Seanad earlier this week, he pointed to the following provisions:
- A sum of €250 million for ANC;
- €40 million has been secured for GLAS;
- Another €40 million for the BDGP;
- €40 million for the BEEP;
- €19 million for the Sheep Welfare Scheme – an increase of €2 million on last year;
- An additional €60 million for organic farming;
- €80 million for TAMS.
“It is important to make those points in order that people clearly understand that the budget for agriculture was not cut.”
‘Extraordinary budget’
He told the Seanad: “I am not going to stand here and say that €2 was given here, €5 was given there and €30 was given somewhere else.”
However, in his view, considering Ireland is not yet out of the Covid-19 pandemic, this is an “extraordinary” budget.
“This view does not just come from me. I rang a number of people in my part of the country last night and this morning to get an independent analysis.”
He said the general consensus was that this was a “good” budget.
Furthermore, he said Ireland must deal with Covid-19, which “makes the situation more difficult for the government”.
“The level of spending in the budget and the way the money has been distributed are extraordinary given the times we live in. It is only right that people who need assistance and help get support,” he added.
