Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

It has neglected the rest of the country. The Minister, Deputy Coughlan, is ready to deliver the final nail in the coffin of rural Ireland by consigning 50,000 farmers and 50,000 others who are employed in the food industry to the dole queue. We are nearing the end game in this process as it is possible that a WTO ministerial meeting will take place next month, which means that the time for effective action is running out. The Minister has repeatedly said she is not prepared to accept an unbalanced deal for Irish agriculture.

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