Peter Callanan (Fianna Fail)

I support the Leader of the Opposition's comments concerning the current state of the sheep industry and what is happening at the factories. It is only fair to point out that lamb imports are what really create the problems. I support Senator Brian Hayes's remarks about the Competition Authority because there is no doubt that a cartel of factories has been operating in this country for many years. I expect my fellow Senators to support me when I say that the issue will only be resolved when the farming organisations and the processors come together and try to resolve it.

Reference was made to the Government's work in the agriculture sector. We must recognise that the farming organisations give considerable support to this Government, in particular to Deputy Joe Walsh when he was Minister for Agriculture. We must accept that the same support and recognition of good representation by the current Minister, Deputy Mary Coughlan, is also present in the farming organisations.

Regarding the nitrates directive, it is fine to play politics——