All of us are used to meeting delegations. I just spent half an hour outside the gates speaking to sheep farmers from all over, some from Sligo and others from Donegal and Mayo. It is a long time since I met such a dejected group, some of whom are at their wits' end. Many of them are on the floor and are losing money. They watch French farmers and other European farmers get up to €8 per kilogram for their ewes when they get about €6 per kilogram, knowing they are at the mercy of the factories, with no real chain of accountability. The input price is at a record high. I spoke to some men who told me it is not just that they will cut back on stock this autumn but that it is about the rows at home over no money. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine needs to come to the table immediately with an exceptional aid package. He needs to set up a proper sheep forum, just like the beef form. He needs to fully implement the 2019 task force recommendations and ensure Bord Bia steps up its promotional work.

I thank the Deputy for raising this really important point because this is the time of year when sheep farmers' focus is on lambing their ewes. Right now, sheep farmers throughout the country are in their sheds with their ewes wondering what return they will get for their efforts and time in the months ahead. This is a really concerning time for them. Every sector across the country in agriculture has been impacted by the really high rise in input costs created by the Ukraine crisis. That is why we intervened last year with over €90 million worth of supports for farmers. Sheep farmers were an integral part of it. Their contribution to the countryside and rural economy is really important, not only economically but also environmentally, and nowhere more than in the west.

We continue to work and monitor this situation to support sheep farmers. What the sheep farmers want more than anything is a proper price for their produce. That is why we continue to work. We gained access to the market in the US last year and continue to work on new market development. I am the Minister of State with responsibility in this area. We are working in really important markets like China to open up the opportunities and achieve the best return for our sheep farmers.