Farmers throughout the country are really concerned about the poor price for cattle. Although the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has left the House, I ask the Taoiseach to do something to increase the capacity for the live export of cattle. If there is a no-deal Brexit in the coming days, as looks likely, I ask him to ensure there are no obstacles blocking the export of our cattle through Britain to mainland Europe. Things are bad enough as it is and beef farmers are really on the ground. Since the Taoiseach is not going to eat half the amount of meat he was eating, he will have to do something to make up the difference. I am asking him, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to recognise that beef farmers are facing a really tough situation. The Government must do something to assist them. The price of cattle was never lower.

The Taoiseach has absolutely no understanding of the anger at the comment he made yesterday, be it flippant or whatever way he meant it. It is clear he is not a farmer with a shed full of cattle, trying to finish them and sell them at whatever price the factory would give him.

The prices are being controlled in such a way that it is very difficult for farmers to make money. The fact that the Taoiseach encouraged people to do their part by eating less meat shows clearly that he is not a struggling farmer trying to make a living from farming. He is the Taoiseach for all of the country, not just for Dublin city. He is the Taoiseach for every farmer in this country who is trying to make a living. He should be conscious of their plight. They are trying to raise their families. They are sending youngsters to school and to college and they are struggling. The Taoiseach should ask the Tánaiste and former Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, a man with a sensible head on his shoulders, what he thinks of what the Taoiseach said yesterday. I am sure he was gravely embarrassed by what the Taoiseach said. I urge the Taoiseach to act responsibly and think of the farming community when he is commenting on these matters. What he said yesterday was very hurtful.

Does Deputy Durkan wish to comment on the same matter?

No.

He likes his beef.

Deputy Durkan should have a go at him as well.

As someone who was actually there and knows what I said, I did not give anybody dietary advice or suggest that anyone else do anything. I was specifically asked what I was doing on climate change and I said that I was trying to eat less red meat. I am not giving it up. Indeed, I had a very nice Hereford steak last night.

I said that I was trying to eat less red meat for two reasons, namely health and climate change. My comment was not flippant. It is a fact that red meat increases the risk of cancer and contributes more to climate change.

The Taoiseach is now making a bad situation worse.

I can assure Deputies that I have not become a vegan or anything like that.

He is happy as long as the Chinese eat more red meat.

I am very happy to eat fish landed in Donegal-----

We cannot catch any fish in Donegal.

-----and to eat poultry, turkey, pork meat and all of the wonderful products that Irish farmers produce.

That concludes questions on promised legislation. Apologies to the 11 Deputies who were not reached today.