A report on the future of farming and fishing in the west, which found the majority of farmers there believed they were no better off since the introduction of the Single Farm Payment, has been endorsed by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture.
According to today's Irish Times the report, which called for the reversal of recent budget cuts in agriculture, was drawn up by Sinn Féin’s Martin Ferris (pictured left) and will now be sent to the Cabinet.
Mr Ferris said 60 per cent of farmers in the west believed their situation has got worse since introduction of the Single Farm Payment.
A report on the future of farming and fishing in the west, which found the majority of farmers there believed they were no better off since the introduction of the Single Farm Payment, has been endorsed by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture.
According to today's Irish Times the report, which called for the reversal of recent budget cuts in agriculture, was drawn up by Sinn Féin’s Martin Ferris (pictured left) and will now be sent to the Cabinet.
Mr Ferris said 60 per cent of farmers in the west believed their situation has got worse since introduction of the Single Farm Payment.
The West of Ireland's sole dedicated arthritis treatment unit is to be closed as part of budgetary cutbacks by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Consultants, medical staff and local politicians have expressed anger at the move to shut down the 34-bed rheumatology and medical unit at Merlin Park Hospital from the end of the month.
The unit, which was established over the last 20 years, treats over 6,000 people annually both in the hospital and through out-patient services. It serves a catchment of up to half a million on the western seaboard.
A report on the future of farming and fishing in the west, which found the majority of farmers there believed they were no better off since the introduction of the Single Farm Payment, has been endorsed by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture.
