78 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the talks, if any, he or his Department officials have had with the representatives of the Irish beef processing factories regarding prices paid to farmers within the past month; if so, if he will provide a report on such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3084/97]

Officials of my Department met representatives of the Irish beef processing factories in recent weeks to review the prospects for the beef market, particularly in the first quarter of 1997. The representatives of the beef industry outlined their views on likely market developments over the coming months and, in this context, made a number of suggestions for changes to the intervention arrangements in order to provide more effective support for the market. My officials referred to the need to maintain cattle prices at reasonable levels, in order to protect incomes of producers, particularly those involved in winter fattening.