Beef injunctions and inclusivity
Deputy Brian Stanley welcomes the lifting of injunctions against farmers and urges that all relevant groups be included in the beef task force talks. The Minister says the main farmer voices are represented, that the Independent Farmers of Ireland has dissolved, and that successor claims are unclear.
As far as I am concerned, the Social Democrats and the Green Party have one representative. Perhaps I will be able to bring Deputy Eamon Ryan in later. Has Deputy Stanley's question been answered?
Comment on this
The injunctions against two farmers that I raised with the Taoiseach last week have been lifted. I do not know whether there was Government intervention. It is very welcome that the beef task force talks have been convened today. We wish the talks every success. If they are to succeed, we need to have everyone at the table. The process must be inclusive. In answer to an earlier contribution the Taoiseach questioned who is the Independent Farmers of Ireland group. I agree that the situation was fluid over the summer. I contacted the Minister, Deputy Creed, on this matter yesterday. I have seen correspondence from the solicitor for the Independent Farmers of Ireland group in relation to the organisation being properly constituted from W.A. Smithwick solicitors in Kilkenny. It set out very clearly that the organisation is properly constituted and has elected representatives.
Comment on this
I do not mean to be obstreperous or awkward when I say it is important that these people are at the table and are brought into the process. I am trying to be helpful, as I was when I asked about the injunctions last week. We need to get to the far end of this.
Comment on this
-----there are six groups representing farmers in the talks.
We have correspondence from the initial representative body, the Independent Farmers of Ireland, which communicated to my Department that it is now dissolved. No sooner had that happened than two separate groups were claiming to be the successors in title to the Independent Farmers of Ireland, namely, the group to which Deputy Stanley referred and another organisation. The voice of beef farmers is adequately and professionally represented in the context of the talks. I ask the Deputy, insofar as he raised the issue, on behalf of which Independent Farmers of Ireland group he makes his representations.