Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to support the motion as proposed by my party colleague, Deputy Ó Cuív. It is a timely motion because the last year has been very difficult for farming - I refer to beef farming, in particular - even though the weather has been more beneficial than it had been for many years. We all know the value of agriculture in general to our economy. It comprises €24 billion of the national economy and accounts for more than 7% of national employment. Teagasc recently indicated that the average income for a beef-producing farm decreased by 22%, to €9,469, last year. A single person on the dole who receives €188 per week was given more money last year than the average beef farmer made as an income. That is the situation with regard to the income levels in farming. It shows how difficult the beef sector is. Against that backdrop, it is crucial for us to take any steps we can to ensure there is a sustainable future. That means beef prices must be at a level at which farmers can produce. The unfortunate reality is that for too many years in recent times, that has not been the case. The Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, said that prices are "cyclical", but the only cycle we have seen in recent years has been a downward one.

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