Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I support paying farmers compensation with regard to the beef overshoot. The Minister for Agriculture and Food is doing her best in this regard and farmers have cross-party support in the House.

The Taoiseach met with the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Dr. Ian Paisley, yesterday. A very inappropriate statement was made to the effect that the Taoiseach should keep his dirty hands away from the North. This House would not agree with these sentiments and wishes the Taoiseach well in his negotiations on the most serious issue that Ireland has faced over the years. The statement was inappropriate and should be counterbalanced by support for the Taoiseach.