Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I feel very strongly that this is not a trivial issue but an issue of what is right and wrong.

With the Cathaoirleach's indulgence, let me raise the issue of the poor unfortunate sheep farmers who were forgotten by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, in Brussels. I saw them in the freezing cold last night. It is a scandal and a shame that they had to protest by having their sheep on Kildare Street last night. Will the Leader use his good offices and appeal to the Minister not to come home from Brussels without negotiating a deal, whereby the funds unused under Article 68 may be used to pay and help sheep farmers? They have been hit through the abolition of installation aid and the early retirement scheme in the budget and must also pay the 1% levy.

I wish to say something positive by commending the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Smith, on negotiating the 2% milk quota.