This question might best be answered by the Minister of State, Deputy Doyle. It is a number of weeks since we set up the forum in the context of the beef crisis. Unfortunately. because of an issue that arose outside the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine a number of days ago, the talks did not get up and running. There is a deep crisis, as the Minister of State knows. There is a serious issue developing between the factories and the farmers in respect of the price of beef. Is there any hope of the forum commencing? A lot of farm families are in a bad way and the producer groups are ready to move. It is so important that we get the talks up and running as quickly as possible. What is the outlook? Is there any sign of the talks recommencing? I hope they will commence as quickly as possible.

The Deputy is right that the forum was scheduled to meet last Monday. I understand the chairperson of the beef task force has been engaged in bilateral talks with each party to try to get movement. That is in the interests of everybody, as the Deputy said. The weather has deteriorated and stocks are building. There is a knock-on effect in the marts, with store cattle not having the same number of buyers. I appeal to all sides to show some goodwill and make a gesture that they do want to convene as quickly as possible. It is in the hands of the chairperson.