Agriculture and beef prices
The Leader joked with Leyden before turning to agriculture, defending Government support for farmers and explaining that beef prices are set by processors, not Government. He cited market-opening work and support schemes including BEEP and other beef-related programmes.
Senator Leyden will be glad to hear that I do not have all of the answers regarding agriculture.
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The Senator has all the answers. He has been here so long, yet he has done nothing wrong in that time. His party has done nothing wrong either. The Senator is like the salmon of knowledge. He is the font of all wisdom and knowledge.
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The cow that Senator Leyden was flogging yesterday is well gone. I will repeat my points from yesterday. A man of such learned experience and wisdom will know that the Budget-----
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That is enough about yourself, now.
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-----Statement of October highlighted the issues with the closing date that the Senator raised yesterday and today. We all recognise that it has been a difficult year for agriculture. The Senator knows full well that the Government has no role to play in determining the prices that farmers get for beef from processors. However, we are supporting sustainable and efficient development through policies aimed at improving competitiveness. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, and his predecessor, the Tánaiste, have travelled around the world opening new markets. Next month, the Minister will go to Turkey to open a new market.