Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The tractors may be gone from the gates of Leinster House but, unfortunately, the beef protest continues. We learn today that the IFA has mounted a protest outside the Aldi distribution centre in Naas, County Kildare. The IFA, among other farm voices, has been calling for action on price increases for their beef.One can see from the beef price index that Irish farmers are clearly not getting next or near what they should be getting compared to their colleagues in the UK or in Europe. In some cases, Irish farmers are taking €80 per head less for their animals than farmers in the UK or across Europe are taking. This clearly is not good enough.

I know that the beef task force met last Tuesday. I was very disappointed to learn that the Minister was not present at that meeting. It took a long time to get everyone around the table on this particular issue. I am flabbergasted that the lead man, in this instance a Minister, was not present. It is an insult to the farmers throughout the length and breadth of this country that the man with total and ultimate responsibility for farming matters in this country was not present at that opening meeting-----