I join colleagues from all sides who expressed concern about the current crisis in the beef industry. It is putting livelihoods and jobs at risk both in the short and long term. The forum will meet tomorrow and we are hopeful progress can be made. There are certainly profound questions concerning competition and cartel issues that can be deliberated. Perhaps if there cannot be a domestic solution to the problem, the newly appointed Irish Commissioner, Mr. Phil Hogan, who now presides over the European agriculture industry, could be called upon to review matters. From a European perspective, we must always ensure competition and fair trade. There are serious questions to be addressed in that regard.

They need to wear the green jersey.