My question is directed at the Taoiseach and to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Michael Creed, in particular, with regard to the potential impact and threat posed to Ireland's beef sector by the imminent deal around Mercosur. It has been mooted that up to 100,000 tonnes of beef had been agreed to, and informally agreed at EU level with the three Mercosur countries. I am sure the Minister would agree that if this was to come to pass it would have a massive impact on an already threatened beef sector. Will the Minister give the House an update on the status of those negotiations, and an assurance from the Government that it will not support any deal that involves this level of beef, as it would tremendously undermine an already vulnerable sector in Ireland?

I invite Deputies O'Keeffe and Michael Collins on the same matter.

During the local elections the Government announced €100,000 million for beef farmers. Those beef and suckler farmers have had an horrendous time during the past years. There have been huge drops in family farm incomes. Last week the Minister of State, Deputy Doyle, said that there would be a roll-out of the €100 million following discussions with farming organisations. Will the Taoiseach indicate if the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has met with representatives from the Beef Plan Movement, which now has some 20,000 members directly affected by this crisis?

The problem is that a compensation fund was announced over one month ago during the local and EU elections.

According to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, it is all contingent on climate change. Previously it was Brexit problems. When does the Minister propose to make the compensation available to the beef sector which has been badly hit in the past four months? Can he put the cheques in the post to these people?

Deputy McConalogue and I have discussed Mercosur on several occasions. I have been in contact on many occasions, including very recently, with Commissioner Hogan on the matter. It is not his direct area of responsibility. The Taoiseach has been in contact with several member states which share our analysis and has been in direct contact with the President of the European Commission. Every effort is being made to create an awareness of our concerns and I hope that will influence the outcome.

I have met the Beef Plan Movement. On Deputy O'Keeffe’s question, it is our intention, after the Commission finalises the terms and conditions of the funding available, to meet the farm organisations to discuss how that funding will be distributed. After that meeting, a scheme will be designed for which applications will be invited. It is the intention to pay as early as possible.