Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. As I stated, I do not envisage the genomics proposal being a long-term solution. However, as I pointed out last night, next year will be the year of the lowest direct payments to Irish farmers for many years. If I may put it to the Minister in this way, in the case of a person who was bleeding to death, would one not give the patient a blood transfusion until he or she had stabilised? In such a case, one does not think of one being obliged to do this all the time. I believe we will be in a really difficult place next year. It was the weather one year, in the year after it was the price and next year will be the year of the lowest direct payments to farmers. There has been an accumulation of issues with regard to beef farming and, therefore, I hope that even at this late stage, in the interests of showing solidarity to farmers, all Members will agree the House should not divide on the motion tabled by Fianna Fáil and the Minister will accept the motion as tabled by us.

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