Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know that. The Ceann Comhairle may cut me off when he has to.

We have heard the debate and the discussion. We have heard that, despite what Fianna Fáil brought before this House in the spring, no action was taken. I fear we are on the verge of losing major markets. We are on the verge of several farm families' health being seriously damaged. We are on the verge of people, with considerable borrowings taken out for lorries to draw meat, collapsing. We are on the verge of a significant crisis in this area.

We need to get the producer group in there with the producers. It will have power. The producers need to give a little bit. I plead here this evening to the producer group, and to those on the gates, to stand back. There is a narrow window of opportunity. We can get over the line but it will take understanding. It will take sincerity. It will take a big step by both sides to be men and women up to doing the right thing. That is my plea this evening. There is a lot to be discussed and there is a lot at stake.

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