14 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has had meetings with the new President of the IFA; if so, the contents of his discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4960/02]

I addressed the Annual General Meeting of the Irish Farmers Association which was held on 15 January 2002 and have had a further meeting with the new IFA President this week during which the broad range of challenges facing the industry were discussed.