Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I note the Minister has entered the Chamber and I plead with him to meet the sheep farmers who are protesting outside Agriculture House. Someone suggested to me today that while the sheep are outside, there are sheep inside as well. I suggest to the Minister that it is not right to have those farmers out there. He has scheduled a meeting on 16 December and I call on him to meet the sheep farmers and make whatever announcement he intends to make.

First, I must compliment the Minister, who went to Europe in respect of single payment funds. He has been allowed to use that money and all sections of the IFA and everyone else agree that this money should be devoted to the sheep sector. I call on the Minister to give that money to the sheep sector immediately. I will provide a simple example to the Minister. One area of south County Mayo used to have nine farmers engaged in sheep production. Seven farmers have ceased sheep production and another has died, thereby leaving only one person engaged in sheep production. Unless something is done about the sheep industry, people will leave it. This is what has happened in the west and such people will be lost.

The cuts to the disadvantaged areas scheme also constitutes another attack on the west. Deputies Dooley, Aylward and others should recall that 18 months ago, they put out statements nationwide stating the Green Party would be bad for Fine Gael, were the former to enter Government with the latter. While the Green Party is bad, Fianna Fáil is worse and it is time to get rid of Fianna Fáil because it is letting down rural Ireland and the farmers. The visitors in the Gallery do not wish to be there this evening and would prefer to be at home looking after their families, farms, cattle and sheep. Instead, however, the Government is telling them there is no need to be present because everything in agriculture is great. This is not the case and what the Government is doing to them is disgraceful. The Minister should meet the sheep men——

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