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

I assure the Deputy that the Minister's door has been open at all times for farming organisations to come in and discuss any issue that concerns them. The Deputy referred to the groups protesting last night. Across the road at 7.30 p.m., the Minister met a group of farmers who were picketing on Tuesday. He is always available. He consistently works long hours trying to help develop Irish agriculture. Due to the fact that difficulties arose with beef in the past few weeks, which we acknowledge, people are now saying that he is doing a bad job. The reality is that he negotiated a deal with the EU that no other Minister would ever be capable of.

I saw him bringing all the countries together at the end of the process — I joined his team only at the end of it — to ensure a deal that would result in significant future benefits for Ireland. I refer to the single payment schemes that he protected so vigilantly on behalf of Irish farmers. Nobody could say that this man is running away from the matter. If anything, and as has been acknowledged by a number of farming organisations and media commentators, he is doing extremely well. Yesterday I walked with the farmers from the west about whom the Deputy spoke, namely the small beef producers. They accept that everything is being done. There is an issue with the beef trade and that is being tackled. It was tackled with the Chinese on Tuesday. It is being tackled today. Next week, the Minister is to visit the United States to deal with it. Therefore, nobody can say he is not doing a good job.

See this speech in context