Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Commissioner. It is great to have him here. Deputy Aird put most of the questions to him. I will not delay the Commissioner as I want to give him time to respond. What is making my blood boil is hearing and seeing what is happening in Gaza. Women have been on the phone to me crying and asking whether there is anything we can do to stop supporting Israel in whatever way we have to do it and in every way possible. What is happening there is scandalous, outrageous and unbelievable. If we could help today, it would be a big addition.

The other issue is the Mercosur deal. The issue has been raised here a few times and I am sure it will be brought up again. There is serious concern in this country that it could destroy farming. I will not go into the ins and outs of it but it is to be supported, it is important that there be a level playing pitch. The fact that tillage farmers on their knees was mentioned. If we do not have a level playing pitch, it is quite possible that dairy and beef farmers could go the same way.