Concern has been expressed that several marts in the Shannonside Northern Sound region will not be able to cope with Level 5 restrictions.
The second lockdown will mean that marts will have to return to online-only sales - with some managers worried that their broadband may not be strong enough to meet demand- especially as thousands of weanlings are set to be sold in the coming weeks.
Independent TDs Marian Harkin and Michael Fitzmaurice as well as Sinn Fein TD Claire Kerrane and Senator Eugene Murphy have asked the government to intervene to try and help marts cope with increased online demand as well as considering making special exemptions for marts to allow more than 25 people on site at any one time :
However, Taoiseach Micheal Martin claims that due to the Level 5 Covid restrictions - there is no possibility a special exception can be made for marts
