Fine Gael used to be known as the farmers' party but those days are well over.

Ah now.

Its MEPs voted against farmers last week in Strasbourg. Today, its Minister for agriculture, Deputy Heydon, when I asked him whether he would use his office to stop Mercosur from being implemented before the European courts make a decision, he stated that he would not and that it was another Department's responsibility.

The Government also refused to hold Bord Bia and its chairperson, Larry Murrin, to account. He has the job of promoting Irish food and I understand he is paid just under €200,000 to do it. Instead of that, he is actually importing Brazilian beef. This is a conflict of interest and the fact that the Government’s judgment does not understand that shows it is compromised on this. It is, "Do what I say, not what I do".

One third of farmers at the moment are living off the farm. One third are only living off the farm because someone from that farm is working off the farm. One third of farmers are in poverty or going into debt. Every year, the number of farmers is falling in this country. Will the Government listen to the farmers for a change and do as they ask and remove Larry Murrin?

I do not appreciate being misrepresented. During questions on agriculture earlier, a debate about farmers and agriculture went into the area of a trade deal and what trade policy was, and I highlighted that it was not my direct role.

Exactly. The Minister said he would not do it.

I fought my sector's corner on the Mercosur trade deal. The Deputy knows what way the Government voted. I made that very clear.

With regard to the point the Deputy raised around Bord Bia, what I implore everyone-----

No. There is no misrepresentation here at all.

I ask Deputy Tóibín to resume his seat.

Keep going.

The Minister said exactly the same thing to me this morning. He said that it is not his responsibility.

Resume your seat, Deputy Tóibín.

I want to answer on the substantive point the Deputy raised.

I want the Minister to withdraw the allegation that there was any misrepresentation of his view today.

I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.

Can the Minister withdraw the allegation as false?

I ask Deputy Tóibín to resume his seat. I am chairing the session, not you.

Deputy Tóibín made a political charge.

No.

I want to answer the substantive point he raised, if he lets me.

Will the Minister withdraw the allegation that is incorrect?

Either the Deputy wants me to respond to his question or he does not. On the point about Bord Bia, there is nuance and detail involved. A calm space is needed for this to be explained. We have dealt with soundbites, attacks and rash actions and comments by some people in this House that do farmers a disservice. Farmers benefit greatly from the integrated nature of international trade deals. We export 90% of our food and drink produce.

With regard to the specific business case of the chairman of Bord Bia, it is absolutely explainable. It was explained to the board of Bord Bia and 12 of the 14 members absolutely accepted that. It was explained to me. The offer is open to both the county chairs and commodity chairs of the IFA to have a direct meeting with the chairman. He is coming before the Oireachtas committee next week as well. Let us have the space for that. Do not do farmers a disservice by going with soundbites and playing on the sensitivities-----

They are the ones who are-----

The Minister should conclude.

Of course they are angry. They are angry because they are being fed soundbites from this Chamber.

The Minister is doing a disservice here.

Let us have a proper, meaningful debate on the importance of integrated global supply chains that benefit our farmers.

The Minister should resume his seat. I call Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan.