Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was surprised to see farmers out protesting again today but I have much sympathy for them or all those who feel they cannot make a living after putting so much time and effort into a livelihood. We need to have a proper debate in this House on rural Ireland and putting a value on farmers, the sustainability of rural Ireland and farming and how much we value having fresh produce and good beef. Individuals and the supermarket sector as a whole must figure out whether we want decent beef and agricultural produce in future. I have started going to my local butcher because the beef is a little better and although I pay a little more, it is worthwhile. I have considerable sympathy for those farmers.

On the same matter, issues around death threats to certain individuals should be clarified. There is much hurt out there and if the parties are to go ahead with the task force and the mediation of some form of agreement, they must clear the air. There must be trust on both sides. I hope the talks will go ahead in December and the farmers will achieve some sort of satisfactory agreement. It is very much a long-term issue but we must all figure out whether we appreciate fully our access to good produce. I would like a debate in this House on the matter.

I also raise the issue of cycling in the city. Three weeks ago, a young man, Mr. Neeraj Jain, was knocked down, tragically, by a cement truck on the South Circular Road at the junction with St. James's Hospital. We know cycling is becoming more dangerous on the roads in the city. I commend Dublin City Council because as part of the Dublin agreement, councillors agreed to allocate 20% of the roads budget to increasing cycling infrastructure, which is very welcome. I also welcome the new laws coming into effect whereby fines of €120 for overtaking a cyclist in a dangerous fashion will be implemented. It is really important that we have enforcement. We have many great laws but the real problem is with enforcement of those laws. Perhaps the Garda Síochána will assign enough personnel to enforce cycling-related laws in the city.

I commend my colleague, Senator Craughwell, who is not here today but who spent some time recently cycling on the roads to see the issues on the ground.