Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is astonishing that the Mercosur deal has been signed but no impact assessment has been done. It really shows this Government's contempt and disregard for rural Ireland. It is crazy that we have talked about this deal for months and years. I commend the work of Matt Carthy, MEP. From the beginning, he flagged the dangers of this deal for beef farmers, particular suckler cow farmers in the west of Ireland. The Government did not see fit to carry out an impact assessment. This is the same Government that is rushing to the aid of Apple to make sure one of the richest corporations in the world is protected. What about protecting our beef farmers? It speaks for itself. Farmers are not stupid. They know what is happening here.

I also wish to raise the issue of Belmullet District Hospital. I acknowledge that the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Jim Daly, visited the hospital yesterday and met the staff for which I thank him but I have an issue with the behaviour of his colleague, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring. The first thing the Minister did when he stepped out of his ministerial car was to attack me and Sinn Féin. He did not care why all the people were gathered outside the hospital. He expressed his disgust at the fact that people had gathered outside the hospital, as did his Fine Gael colleague. Does the Minister think that patients and their families who need beds and healthcare really care about party politics? It was the most disgraceful thing I have witnessed during my time in politics. I know the community gathered there shares my thoughts. The Minister needs to remember that we live in a democracy. I make no apologies to him for standing up for my community and the people of Mayo. This is an important issue, not just for Erris but for the wider community in Mayo and the Mayo diaspora. We are entitled to ask legitimate questions and get truthful answers. It is astonishing that given his role as Minister for Rural and Community Development, he would take issue with the principles of community development. I will say no more.