Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

I concur with what Deputy Creed has said. I have been contacted by many farmers who are suffering as a result of this decision. The Minister is in breach of contract, in effect. On 27 June 2007, the farmers of this country signed a contract to carry out works on behalf of the Government. However, the Government is not fulfilling its part of that deal. I wish the farming bodies would take a High Court case. By the time it comes to court, I suppose the farmers will be broke anyway. The Minister's approach has enjoyed some success on several fronts. He has pitted workers against each other. He has pitted the public sector against the private sector. He has pitted family members from both sectors against each other. He has even pitted father against son. A Member of this House will vote with the Minister tonight, even though the Deputy in question's son, as the deputy general secretary of the Garda Representative Association, was protesting outside Leinster House earlier today. If the Minister thinks this is a success, I wish him the best with it.

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