Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the escalating issue of the bull beef crisis in Ireland. Our beef farmers are unable to secure markets. The British market is effectively closed due to the labelling issue in Northern Ireland and the inaction by the current Minister cannot go unnoticed. It is certainly not going unnoticed among farmers. A Private Members' motion was tabled by Fianna Fáil in the Dáil last week and the Minister failed to show up. I have high regard for the Minister, Deputy Coveney, but his current actions leave much to be desired. Perhaps he has his eye on another ball but he should not drop the ball he is currently holding. The Irish beef industry is worth €2 billion to the Irish economy. Prices have decreased by 15% to 20% as a result of the lack of live export trade and the lack of political will by the Minister to address the labelling issue north of the Border. We should have Irish beef labelled as Irish beef on a 32 county basis. British retailers would then accept it as Irish beef but, due to a labelling anomaly, British retailers are not willing to accept beef reared here and finished in the North. It is creating major difficulty. I ask the Deputy Leader to facilitate a debate this week, if possible, with the current Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I hope we can find time. I do not want to push the issue to a vote tomorrow and I will give the Deputy Leader, in conjunction with the Leader's office, space to allow the Minister to come before the House. This is a major crisis. Small suckler farmers will be wiped out unless something is done over the next week or two.