Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is deep concern in spite of the hard-fought agreement reached over many weeks of discussion. The Government dropped the ball on this issue. The Minster, Deputy Creed, was brought to the table kicking and screaming. When farmers were protesting in Bandon, a couple of miles from his door, was he there to stand with them or listen to their concerns? I was there, as were Deputies Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Collins on an almost nightly basis. Why did some politicians see fit to listen to the concerns of farmers while others, some of them very senior politicians, did not? Being a Minister does not mean one does not have to listen to the people whom one is supposed to represent. When one becomes a Minister, one should not forget the people who put one there. I am sure there are many farmers who voted for the Minister, Deputy Creed. The least they expected was for him to listen to them when they needed him. It is awful that a person in Government would not listen to them. That was wrong.

It is wrong that the base price could not be discussed during the talks. That should not have been tolerated. Mechanisms must be put in place so that farmers know that if they produce beef, they will cover their costs and have a modest profit margin.

For God's sake, they do not want much.

I neglected to thank Deputy McConalogue, his colleagues and the other Deputies for bringing this important motion before the House. It is vital that we stand behind them and support it. Shame on Fine Gael and those Members who support that party if they object to it and do not support it belatedly, having been brought kicking and screaming to the table again, because that is what has happened. Fair dues to the people who protested at the factory gates for so long and gave so much of their time and energy and who, in many cases, are still protesting.

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