When I asked the Taoiseach about planning on the site of a mass infant grave at Bessborough, he told me it was inappropriate for a member of Government to intervene on planning matters. How does he reconcile this with his statement yesterday on Glanbia? Is that an appropriate thing for a Taoiseach to do? I presume the Taoiseach is aware that Glanbia is in partnership with a Dutch company and that in the past few years, the Netherlands has reduced its herd by 190,000 while we have increased our herd by 500,000. It seems that the Netherlands has actively found a country with lower environmental standards and low milk prices. The Taoiseach has framed this development, a subsequent increase in the herd and profits going abroad as a positive step for Irish agriculture. Farmers deserve more respect. It is obvious that we need to pay farmers a fair price for their product instead of continuously forcing them to intensify. Can the Taoiseach explain how increasing the herd, which will lead to an increase in emission fines, is a positive step for Irish farming? What will he say to young farmers who will see our dairy sector facing legal restrictions, like those faced by farmers in the Netherlands and elsewhere in the EU? The Government is pitting farmers against environmentalists. What is the Government playing at?

I never said to the Deputy that it was inappropriate for politicians to make-----

He did say that when I asked him about the social housing development-----

I did not interrupt the Deputy. I never said that about Bessborough because politicians write to planning authorities every day of the week to make observations.

The Taoiseach said it was inappropriate.

Their observations are not ones that have to be taken on board but politicians are entitled to make observations. That is a fact so I would not have said that.

This is a parliament and we are entitled to articulate perspectives. This Government has brought in a landmark climate change Bill

How does the Taoiseach propose to deal with developments like this?

I did not interrupt the Deputy. I will deal with her questions. This Government has brought in a landmark climate Bill with significant challenges. We want to bring people with us on this journey to meet the significant challenges that will face many sectors, including agriculture, in meeting our climate change goals. We need to bring people on board and that means balance in the public debate. That is what I said yesterday in an even-handed tone and in a reasonable contribution in which we had good exchanges. The Deputy wants to treat farmers with respect and so do I. I invite her to talk to some of the farmers involved.

What do you say to young farmers who will be left facing the legal restrictions we are seeing in other countries?

It would be useful for you to engage with them.

The Netherlands has reduced its herd.

I point out to the Taoiseach and the Deputy that we are not here to have a conversation.

There needs to be a conversation about this.

It might be better if Members did not speak directly to each other but spoke through the Chair.