Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I can see from where Senator Conway got his great grasp of politics, namely, the master himself. Well done to Professor Brian Farrell on the production of his intelligent student here in the House. I share the sympathy expressed to the family of Brian Farrell. I knew him very well. He married into the Dillon family from Ballaghaderreen. I, too, met him at the conference in Ennistymon. He was a brilliant writer, journalist and professor, and an icon of RTE.

We all want to share in the sympathies being shown to his wife and family. We will probably be given an opportunity in the future to extend our respects to the late Joe Walsh, the former Deputy, Minister and, for a short period in 1981 and 1982, Senator. Joe was an extremely good Minister and he played an important role in preventing the spread of foot and mouth disease in this country. He was outstanding in the way he took on that task. He was authoritative and committed to his brief. I extend my deepest sympathy to his family.

It is ironic that farmers were out on strike during the period in which Joe Walsh died because he fought on the side of the farmers. He set up Bord Bia and established good pricing structures. I agree with Senator Comiskey that a crisis has arisen for farming. Having been on a farm, I understand the amount of work involved in the production of quality beef. Farmers are doing an outstanding job but a price cartel is operating among the factories. They are responding to supply and demand but supply will not be there unless farmers are given a fair deal because many beef farmers will be out of business in the next 12 months. In terms of inputs, the costs of silage production and other aspects of operating a beef farm are enormous. The price of supplies is increasing but the price is coming down for cattle. It is becoming an impossible task and factories need to respond quickly or else the industry will be destroyed. It is a crisis and the IFA and everybody else were right to protest. I hope there will be a response at the forum tomorrow and that better prices will be offered from Friday. The Seanad should appeal to all concerned to reach agreement in this regard.