Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

He did not even understand what I said because if he did he would have listened to it.

We are on the threshold of something big in respect of milk expansion and the dairy sector. Throughout the country, from Cork to Cavan, dairy farmers are keen to get into milk production. Deputy Ó Cuív is right to say this is at the cost of beef but in the budget we secured money for a suckler cow premium and I believe that has secured a great deal.

When some of Deputy Ó Cuív's people were trying to suggest yesterday that cattle prices were falling at marts I was able to quote from some of the daily newspapers how in Sixmilebridge, although those involved were affected by the collapse of an exporting company, cattle prices are actually rising. Furthermore, there is a responsibility on the meat factories to keep prices at a high level to ensure basic profitability. I further note, because Deputy Ó Cuív is listening for a change, that there will not be a dramatic fall in numbers because now with the suckler scheme in place farmers are far more content than they have been in the past.

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