Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to have had an opportunity to be here for the last hour and a half and listen to the various views of Deputies on both sides of the House. I have been struck by the significant amount of knowledge and ideas we have heard from all sides. I heard Deputy Creed suggesting that we need to sit longer and talk more. I agree that we need a full day's discussion on all the issues of importance to rural Ireland. I refer not only to issues like beef and milk prices, but to every issue that affects rural Ireland and the rural economy. We need to consider how we can create jobs and thereby help the people living in rural areas who want rural Ireland to continue.

As we consider the motion under discussion, it is important to put many things in perspective. We have spoken at length last night and tonight about the beef trade and who is responsible for it. Some people have blamed the Minister, Deputy Coveney, for not going here and there. The reality is that beef markets are in a difficult situation. There is no doubting that beef farmers have gone through a few tough months. However, we have to look at the facts. We have heard about all the suckler farmers who are leaving suckling. If one examines the figures that show how many people are involved in suckling, one will find that the actual drop has been just 1.5%. That shows how few farmers are getting out of suckling. I would like to make another relevant point in this context. I wonder how many Deputies have attended marts where cattle are sold in the last few months I refer, for example, to marts in the west where store cattle are sold.

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