An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-26
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Joanne Collins (SF), Agricultural Panel

Students, farmers, renters, people with disabilities, SNAs, pensioners and working families are among some of the groups that have been completely disrespected and left behind by this Government over the past weeks and months. Students see their student fees increased. Farmers are out on the street for Mercosur and Bord Bia. Renters who can afford their rent are looking at a market reset where their rents are going to increase if they change their accommodation after 1 March. People with disabilities are fighting every day for basic rights, never mind anything extra. SNAs feel like they are not respected. The children in their classes are devastated at the thought of losing a SNA and the families of those children are wondering how they are going to get their child to school if the SNA cuts go ahead. It is not definite that they will not happen. The Government has come out and said it is rolling back on them, but we need to see definite policies put in place to protect SNAs and students. Pensioners are facing rising costs, including ESB bills, every day and every week. There is no help. There are no extra payments. They do not know how they are going to live from week to week. For working families, there are concerns about childcare, groceries and ESB bills. The list goes on and on. It is like living in the Dark Ages at the moment because people are struggling so much.
I was in Cavan last night at an IFA meeting, which was attended by 800 or 900 farmers who are absolutely furious because there is a chairman sitting inside in Bord Bia with double standards. They truly believe, I truly believe and the rest of this side of the House truly believes that there are double standards going on. When somebody who has responsibility for promoting Irish food and produce is importing Brazilian beef for their own company, there is a double standard and a clear conflict of interest. They are not backing down. I wish to give a shout-out to those who are playfully called the Bord Bia five; the people who are still sitting inside the Bord Bia headquarters. I think last night was the 23rd night they spent sleeping on a floor because they are standing up for farmers, their families and what is right. We need to acknowledge that. We need to get them out of there by taking the chair out of his position.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-02-26/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:42+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-26