Noonan calls for emergency funding for horticultural sector

Green Party Senator Malcolm Noonan is calling for emergency funding to be made available by Government for the horticultural sector impacted badly by Storm Éowyn.

Senator Noonan said that right across the country growers had lost polytunnels and other facilities at a crucial time of the year when many would be planting at the start of the growing season.

"These growers are important to our food security and to local economies as many supply local markets across the country. I have spoken with Minister of State for Forestry and Horticulture, Michael Healy Rae who has assured me that he would bring my proposal to the windblow task force which he has established in the aftermath of the storm" said Senator Noonan.

"I am hopeful that either existing business support schemes or a dedicated fund for growers could be made available to this vital sector to enable growers to repair and replace infrastructure and get on to doing what they do best, growing nursery stock and food. "

Senator Noonan also raised the widening of representation on the windblow task force with Minister Healy Rae. He said it needs to include local voices, community representation and landowners to aid the work of the task force in building greater resilience against future extreme weather events. 

"Unfortunately our predicted future of extreme weather events has arrived and we need to fast track adaptation measures to minimise impact on vulnerable communities, infrastructure and in farming" he said.