Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

Among Senator Keaveney's many talents, it would seem she is also a latent poet. I join in the congratulations to the Tánaiste. We are all delighted that we will start to put socioeconomic issues and the real issues for the people at the top of the agenda once more.

There is no more pressing an issue impinging on this country than the World Trade Organisations talks which are going a bit unnoticed. Commissioner Mandelson has proposed to reduce tariffs on beef coming in from Brazil and elsewhere in South America by €3.70 per kilogramme. This will have a devastating effect on Ireland. I would like the Leader to arrange a special debate on this issue and to say to the Government that there needs to be a national diplomatic offensive. This threatens to remove 1 million suckler cows. There are also threatened losses of €2 billion in export earnings and €4 billion to the Exchequer. Some 50,000 agriculture related jobs will go and 100,000 farmers will go out of beef production. These figures have been verified by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and are not from a sectoral interest alone.

The implications are enormous, apart from European food security, safety, traceability and human health, which are serious issues. This threatens on-farm and off-farm jobs throughout this country and to eliminate in excess of 100,000 from the workforce.

This proposal will go through if we do not alert ourselves to it immediately. This House could perform a major role in this regard. This is a serious issue and I am grateful for the Cathaoirleach's indulgence. He also recognises the gravity of this issue which is the most serious one pending. I appeal to the Leader to treat it as such and to do something about it. It is our greatest responsibility at present and all issues should be put on ice until we deal with it.