The Taoiseach is a very practical man, or at least he used to be. On the companies (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, the Competition Authority is toothless because farmers are getting so little for their meat -----

Hold on.

This is very important.

I know it is very important but not on the Order of Business.

Meat is very expensive at the counter.

What Bill is being discussed?

I ask the Taoiseach to explain the issue to the people of Ireland. He is aware of the protests taking place at factories.

I do not mind a little leeway, but it is happening every day.

Please give me a little leeway on behalf of the farmers of Ireland.

The Deputy should table a Topical Issue or a parliamentary question.

I urge the Ceann Comhairle to allow the Taoiseach to answer.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine called the beef forum together with all of the interested bodies involved. They agreed on a strategy and I hope that, arising from what they agreed to, the factories will respond to farmers' concerns.

It is an issue of concern to a great number of people. One farming organisation has issued instructions to have a further protest, but I hope, arising from what was agreed at the beef forum, that decisions might be made that do not disrupt that process.