Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

When I meet the social partners and the public service unions I intend to ask their views on where the machinery of the State falls down. It works in the vast majority of cases and, as Deputy Martin will be aware, at the end of the day in disputes like the one in Cork it is a case of the resolution of the people and an understanding on the other side that the matter has to be ended. State machinery or no State machinery, there will be resolution of these disputes if there is a willingness to engage and deal with the problems that arise.

The Deputy mentioned the difficulties that the atrocious weather has caused for the farming community. The losses have already been substantial. I have seen tractors bogged down in fields after they attempted to cut silage. The fact that more rain fell in June than during the preceding six months speaks for itself. It has been an extraordinary year for bad weather and rainfall. I have discussed the issue with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who is in constant contact with the farming organisations and is investigating how he might be able to help. The farming organisations have requested early payment of part of the single farm payment.

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