Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I wish the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, every success on his peace mission to Palestine. As Members will be aware, he is meeting Yasser Arafat and the Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas. The Minister, on foot of the experience he gained during the negotiations on Northern Ireland, is doing his utmost to bring about peace in that region. He is a courageous Minister visiting a troubled and dangerous land. The Israelis are not happy about his decision to go to Palestine, but I commend the Minister on being prepared to go there to try to bring about peace in that region.

I also want to thank the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Joe Walsh, on his excellent performance at the negotiations. It is extraordinary that, within minutes of the Minister concluding a very important deal for this country, the president of the largest farmers' organisation condemned it without being aware of the details. I ask the individual in question to be restrained in his approach until he sees—