One of the objectives of the programme for Government is to protect farmers' incomes. In that regard, farmers throughout the country are outraged at the behaviour of the factories in how they are controlling and reducing the price of beef at will. Farmers are coming together to see what can be done to protect their incomes. I appeal to the Taoiseach to do something about these factories. They have a monopoly and are determining what farmers get. Farmers are not being paid properly for their produce and their incomes are suffering as a result. Farmers are talking about the food on their tables because soon they will be unable to survive with the current regime. Will the Taoiseach do something about it or not?

I am not sure it is correct to say that there is a monopoly. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has examined allegations of a monopoly operating among the beef factories. I appreciate that farmers want a decent price for the work they do, but at the same time factories need to make a profit and we also must ensure that consumers pay a reasonable price for their food. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, has established a beef forum which allows him to engage with all parts of the sector and to make progress through that. In addition, the Deputy will be aware of the announcement in the budget of a new scheme to support beef farmers. He will be hearing more about that in the next few weeks.