Yesterday in response to a question on what he was personally doing to assist with climate change, the only answer the Taoiseach could give was the advice to eat less meat. As the leader of the country and in overseeing a programme for Government, an objective of which is to promote our beef sector and increase our international beef exports, would he accept that is not the type of leadership or direction we expect from him as Taoiseach? Instead he should be promoting the fact that Ireland is the most efficient country in Europe in which to produce beef. He should in future try to give leadership to our beef sector and not take the erroneous approach he took yesterday.

Climate change poses challenges for our country, but also presents serious opportunities for rural communities. A flippant comment such as the Taoiseach passed yesterday is totally inappropriate for a Head of Government and seriously damaging to a very important industry in our economy. It is an industry where primary producers are on their knees with beef prices 30% to 40% below what they were a few months ago. Farmers are finding it extremely difficult to get their stock killed and are suffering severe financial losses. I ask the Taoiseach to withdraw his inappropriate comment.